After viewing the entrance hall and the main reading room, which is considered one of the architecturally most distinguished library rooms, and the Plečnik’s Library exhibition, the guests spoke with the management of the library about the plans for constructing NUK2. In the coming years, the Government will ensure all the necessary funds for the construction of the new library, so that further procedures can take place. It is expected that the building permit will be issued in December and the initial construction work could be underway at the end of next year. The current estimate of construction costs amounts to EUR 95 million and the costs of equipment are estimated at EUR 7.5 million.

The Prime Minister highlighted that libraries are not only places where people read, learn, build their personality and enhance their knowledge, but are places where they meet and become acquainted with new ideas. "The new NUK2 is designed in a spirit that will respond to all the challenges of the present time and will encourage the formation of new knowledge for the future. I am pleased that the last symbolic step has been made and we confirmed the construction of NUK2," he added.

He concluded that he was looking forward to the future when NUK2 would be a reality, and he shared his personal experience with the public, "I regularly visit the NUK and feel humble every time I do so. It’s worth coming to the temple of knowledge more frequently, as it’s only then that we become aware of our smallness and responsibility towards the nation."

The National and University Library (NUK) is one of the greatest masterpieces of the architect Jože Plečnik and a cultural monument of the highest value. For several decades, the NUK has been in need of new additional premises because the national library building has become too cramped over the years. A construction of a new building or NUK2 is thus urgent, and its architectural solution was selected at the international competition in 2012. The solution of the architectural agency Bevk Perović arhitekti won the competition.

The NUK2 library was primarily designed as a modern university library that supports study and research processes at the university and in other research and educational institutions. In addition to the central reading premises and premises for the placement of material, it will include a state-of-the-art educational centre for librarians, two multi-purpose halls, a multimedia room, individual and group study rooms, a computer room, an overnight reading room, a coffee shop, a bookshop, storage rooms, etc.

Some 1,500 study and reading spaces are anticipated, while the capacity of placement of the material enabling free (direct) access will be up to 300,000 units, which represents one tenth of all material in the NUK.

The construction of NUK2 is one of the key cultural projects in independent Slovenia, and the modern library will be a place for integrating culture, science and the economy.