Los Angeles Valley College Officially Dedicates New Library in Honor of Former State Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg.

Business Editors

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 26, 2003

Former Legislator Donates $100,000 to the

Library and Learning Resource Center, Kicking Off

$1 Million Endowment Campaign to Fund Programs and Services

Former California State Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg announced today that he will lead a $1 million endowment campaign for a new Library and Learning Resource Center for Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) that will be named in honor of the former legislator. At a special dedication ceremony, LAVC and Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) officials announced plans to build the $34 million library that will be named the Robert M. Hertzberg Library and Learning Resource Center.

"As a 'foot soldier' and member of community colleges, I am extremely pleased to partner with Los Angeles Valley College to bring enhanced educational and community resources to the San Fernando Valley with the addition of the new Library and Learning Resource Center," said former Speaker Hertzberg. "For more than 50 years, Valley College has served as one of our community's most important educational resources, and this unique library will help continue that proud tradition."

Hertzberg donated $100,000 to the Patrons Association of LAVC to kick off the endowment campaign, which will fund programs and services at the Center. The construction of the building will be funded by Proposition A, the facilities bond measure to construct new buildings and modernize existing facilities on all nine of the LACCD campuses.

"It gives me great pleasure to name this state-of-the-art building in honor of Bob Hertzberg," said Dr. Tyree Wieder, President of LAVC. "Throughout his career in public service, former Speaker Hertzberg has passionately supported our college, and his leadership has helped thousands of students pursue a college education. No one is more deserving of this honor."

Hertzberg represented Valley communities for three terms as a California assemblyman. He served as Speaker of the Assembly from 2000 to 2002. Under his leadership, California made record investments in public schools, including re-defining the role of the community college system as the "Classrooms of the New Economy."

"Former Speaker Bob Hertzberg recognizes that Los Angeles Community Colleges serve as 'gateways to opportunity' for anyone wanting a college education," said LACCD Chancellor Mark Drummond. "Bob Hertzberg has always demonstrated leadership on behalf of all nine of our colleges, and today we see the benefits of this support with the announcement of the new Robert M. Hertzberg Library and Learning Resource Center at Valley College."

Scheduled for completion in 2005, the Robert M. Hertzberg Library and Learning Resource Center will house the college's large collection of books and reference materials, as well as LAVC's Historical Museum, the area's only museum devoted to the rich and fascinating history of the Valley. Also, the facility will feature computer labs with Internet access, a general tutoring center and multi-purpose rooms for group study, meetings and small seminars.

The construction of the new library is part of a program to transform LAVC's campus over the next 10 years. Other major projects include the construction of a Media Arts Center, Allied Health/Sciences Building and Computer Science Technology Building, as well as projects to modernize existing facilities and improve campus services.

About Los Angeles Valley College

Located on 105 acres in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, LAVC is one of nine campuses within LACCD. Nearly 20,000 students are currently enrolled in courses that provide general, transfer, vocational and continuing education programs.

Established in 1949, LAVC has educated more than 1.5 million students. The college employs more than 1,000 staff, including 500 faculty, and operates on a budget of nearly $45 million.

The college is located at 5800 Fulton Avenue in Valley Glen, California.