Governor restores library funding

Governor Jim Gilmore restored $7 million Sept. 18 in funding already approved for the construction of a new Special Collections library at U.Va., but held up because of this year’s state budget impasse.

“Restoring capital to our college campuses is one of my highest priorities,” said Gilmore. “The Special Collections library is central to the future of academic life at the University of Virginia.”

“We are very pleased that the governor has released funding that will allow us to move ahead with the library,” said U.Va. President John T. Casteen III. “This has been our top priority for several reasons, the most important of which is the access students, scholars and citizens of Virginia will gain to the University’s renowned collection of historical and literary documents. Together with $16 million contributed by private donors, the state funds released today should enable us to break ground this winter.”

The project has a $26 million budget with funding split between $10 million in general funds and $16 million from private gifts.