From left, CSU student trustee Jennifer Reimer of Fresno State, university Vice President Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Library Dean Michael Gorman, President John D. Welty, Provost Jeri Echeverria, Vice President Peter N. Smits and Associated Students President Juan Pablo Moncayo dig the symbolic first shovels of dirt on the $95-million Henry Madden Library building project.

 

A groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 25 marked the official start of construction on the new Henry Madden Library at California State University, Fresno.

President John D. Welty said the library, which has stood at the academic heart of Fresno State more than a half-century, soon will be an architectural landmark worthy of its physical location.

When the $95-million building project is completed in fall 2008, the Madden Library will be the largest academic building (350,000 square feet) on campus. It also will become the largest library in the California State University’s 23-campus system.

Welty said the new library will provide “our students and distinguished faculty a setting that encourages an even higher level of research and scholarship, and offers the equipment and technologies to make the best use of additional resources.”

“Our new library also is an investment in Fresno State’s commitment to engagement with Central California as we partner to develop the people, strategies and products to meet this region’s unique challenges and opportunities,” Welty said.

Fresno State Provost Jeri Echeverria, Library Dean Michael Gorman and Associated Students President Juan Pablo Moncayo also made remarks at the ceremony. They and the president were joined for the symbolic groundbreaking by CSU student trustee Jennifer Reimer of Fresno State, and two of the university’s vice presidents, Dr. Peter N. Smits and Cynthia Teniente-Matson.

The library project includes construction of an architecturally striking four-story, 283,600-square-foot building and the renovation of the existing 68,695-square-foot south library building, which dates to 1980. The two buildings will be connected.

The northern portion of the library that was constructed in 1956 and an addition that opened in 1965 are in the final stages of demolition so the new library can be erected in the same footprint.

The new library will include state-of-the-art information technology systems, 3,600 reader stations, room for new and expanded special collections, individual study carrels, group study rooms and office space for the library administration and Services for Students with Disabilities.

The project is financed with funds from the Proposition 55 bond measure approved by California voters in March 2004. Architects are A.C. Martin Partners Inc. in association with Hillier Architecture. Swinerton Builders is handling construction.