Now that Robert Kennedy has been confirmed as president of the University of Maine, he has the opportunity to do what his predecessors failed to do – to put the renovation and expansion of Fogler Library at the top of his list for future funding.

Kennedy has committed his administration to making the state’s flagship campus a first- class research university; such an institution requires the support of a first-class academic library.

Fogler can become that, but at present it struggles with severe limitations: lack of space for new books, digital resources and study areas; periodical stacks that are a fire trap and not handicap accessible; Microforms, Rare Books and Special Collections without essential climate control for their unique materials.

It seems there is money for alumni buildings, student recreation buildings, hockey buildings, engineering buildings, but no money for what should be the heart and soul of the university, the one building that serves the entire university community.

Say it isn’t so, Bob.

I challenge President Kennedy, the alumni and the Legislature to put Fogler Library at the top of their list for a capital campaign, alumni gifts and university infrastructure appropriations. Failure to do so will relegate the University of Maine, its graduates and the state to a second-class status we can’t afford to accept.

Pamela Dean

Bangor