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A new high-tech building planned for the University of New Brunswick Saint John campus will attract future students, say recruiters.

"It's going to be a state-of-the-art library and technology centre," said UNBSJ recruiter Cory Brown, describing the high-tech learning commons planned for the campus.

The provincial and federal governments announed on Monday that they would provide $18 million for the $25-million complex to be used for research and public gatherings.

Brown said he's looking forward to telling potential students they'll have new technologies and resources right at their fingertips when he's recruiting around New Brunswick.

UNBSJ vice-president Robert MacKinnon said the school will begin working on plans for the new building this week.

'A library of the future'

"It won't be a traditional library. It will be, in a sense, a library of the future. We've got an opportunity to create a building that's unique to Saint John, unique to UNB," said MacKinnon.

"This building is going to mean a lot to the campus. It's going to completely change the way our students are able to study on campus, with an integrated technology and information system in the library. This will mean better services for our students."

New Brunswick Energy Minister Jack Keir said he also hopes the funding will help draw people to UNBSJ.

"You know, the biggest factor that we're going to overcome to get where we want to go … is to make sure we've got the work force in place to do it."