UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College will officially open its new library and learning center this week.

The public is invited to celebrate the opening at a gathering beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14.

After a brief presentation and welcome, guests will participate in a self-guided tour and featured presentations of the new facility.

Following the tour refreshments, prepared by the Mendocino College Culinary Arts students, will be served.

Visitors will be greeted by College Board President Joel Clark and by Richard Cooper, chair of the Measure W Oversight Committee.

“This new building provides the opportunity for students to increase their learning in a facility that maximizes the use of technology with an emphasis on interaction among staff, faculty and students,” said Interim Superintendent/President Roe Darnell.

The center includes a spacious library, a learning center, the Math Engineering Science Achievement program, a disabled resource center and a new language lab.

Visitors touring the facility will have the opportunity to enjoy student and staff demonstrations of programs provided by the center.

The library/learning center was designed by TLCD Architecture and constructed by Midstate Construction at a cost of $28 million.

The center was built as a result of community support through Measure W.

On Nov. 7, 2006, voters in the Mendocino-Lake Community College District passed Measure W authorizing $67.5 million in facility bond funds.

Measure W passed with 62 percent voter approval, substantially greater than the 55 percent required for passage under Proposition 39.

The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee was formed in December 2006 by appointment by the college board of trustees.

This committee, as required by law, is comprised of members representing specific interests, including business, senior citizens, taxpayer organization, Mendocino College students, a college support organization and at-large members.

The oversight committee is charged with overseeing the expenditure of bond proceeds and ensuring that bond proceeds are expended only for the purposes set forth in Measure W.