Ho Mar.16, GNA-Work on the ultra modern Volta Regional Library complex has come to a halt for lack of funds.

The project being funded by the government was started in 2003 and expected to be completed within two years at a total cost of 1,335,769.65 Ghana cedis. Mr. Alikem Tamakloe, the Volta Regional Librarian disclosed this to th= e Ghana News Agency in an interview on Tuesday.

He said when completed, the library complex would in addition to reference and lending sections, have an extensive children's block, an internet cafe, a conference room and a rare collection section including manuscripts which will be beneficial to researchers.

Mr. Tamakloe said the country's public library system was in dire ne= ed of total improvement and modernization of infrastructure with highly traine= d and motivated professional staff to be able to help nurture a knowledge based modern society.

He said because of the poor working conditions of Librarians in the public system, students were not willing to pursue Librarianship in the Universities.

Mr. Tamakloe said lack of funds has compelled the Ghana Library Board to scale down the programmes of the regional library in order to cater for only a small number of people mostly children.