Trustees approve Panola
College library expansion
Longview News Journal
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Panola College's M.P. Baker Library will almost triple in size to accommodate the 1,900 or so students using the facility.
The college's trustees voted last week to issue nearly $6 million in revenue bonds for an expansion. Tuition fees and money from auxiliary services were obligated to cover the cost of the bonds. The remainder will be raised by the Panola College Foundation.
Constructed in 1965, the library spans about 11,800 square feet and provides services to about 1,900 students. The population has increased by 25 percent since 2000.
After construction, the library will cover 31,000 square feet. The estimated $7 million renovations began this month and are expected to conclude in December 2008.
"The library was built to be expanded," said Van Patterson, director of Institutional Advancement at the college. "They'll be building on the north side of the library. There's a glass wall there. Once it's done, we'll move things to the expanded space while they renovate the old area."
Library changes include an expanded storage area, shelving space, a computer lab, classrooms, a multipurpose community room and study rooms. A gallery also will be added to the first floor to display art exhibits.
"We're excited about the construction," Patterson said. "But we're still in the process of raising funds."
Panola College's accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, recommended during separate visits that the library be expanded.
A donor wall in the center of the lobby will record the names of people who contribute $1,000 or more. Select areas and rooms of the library are available for naming opportunities to contributors who wish to donate to specific places. There are four donor levels: platinum for $20,000 or more, gold for $10,000 to $19,999.99, silver for $5,000 to $9,999.99 and bronze for $10,000 to $4,999.99.
Find this article at:
http://www.news-journal.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/12/18/12182007_library_bond.html