The Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library “has been a five year project that is going to be crucial to the CSUMB campus, and the entire design concept has been student and library staff oriented,” Library Director, Bill Robnett said.
The Taiko Drums, hard hats, gold encrusted book marks and complimentary food and beverage provided a warm welcome to groundbreaking attendees.
When the State formula for student population was completed, the outcome was $52 million for a 200,000 square-foot building. The State money only factored in the necessities for a standard CSU library, which did not leave enough for any cosmetic additions or beautification.
Some collaboration between concerned parties came up with the idea that the library needed more student input.
The Tanimura and Antle families’ $4 million donation provided the means for the opportunity to gather more student input. The donation also gave the project the momentum needed to create an extensive academic and technologically advanced addition to the campus and the surrounding community.
The private and public fundraising campaign started by the Tanimura and Antle family will raise $12 million on top of the State’s $52 million to give the project $64 million to complete the project.
The money also allows the vital aspect of accommodations for students with disabilities.
“A great service to be included in the new library is an assistive tech lab that will help students with disabilities use the new technology to gain equal access to their printed course materials,” Coordinator of Student Disability Resources, Margaret P. Keith said.
CSUMB is dedicated to serving the “diverse people of California” and has a responsibility to give every student a crucial and depth oriented education, especially as a state school.
“Involved with the science department, the library is geographically important and offers a great balance for students,” Robnett stated.
Bob Antle’s words of wisdom after the ceremony were: “I’m proud of this CSU; we all need more libraries for a good time.”
