OVIATT BACK IN ACTION UNIVERSITY REDEDICATES ITS WINGED HEART.

Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer

NORTHRIDGE - With an Air National Guard helicopter overhead, Mayor Richard Riordan and California State University officials celebrated the reopening Tuesday of the Oviatt Library, which was severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.

University President Jolene Koester said the event was more than a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the library, which actually opened three weeks ago. Considered the heart and soul of the campus, the refurbished library marks the rebirth of California State University, Northridge, which was devastated by the 6.8-magnitude temblor.

``The rededication of this library symbolizes the close of earthquake reconstruction for Cal State Northridge,'' she said. ``The day is important to celebrate what the university is, what it will be and the end of an incredible episode in the history of the university and the San Fernando Valley.''

A jubilant Riordan, holding oversized garden shears, heralded the rededication of the library as a landmark day for the university.

``Boy, they are back and they're better than at any time in the history of CSUN,'' the mayor said.

The Jan. 17, 1994, quake severely damaged five major campus buildings, including the library. The Oviatt has undergone a $22 million renovation and now features new east and west wings, a ``collaboratory'' that houses 150 speedy new computers, a teacher curriculum center, and new study areas for faculty and students.

Housed in the west wing, the collaboratory received high marks from students who can use the computers that all feature word-processing software, library databases and free Internet access. Early in the afternoon, only a few terminals remained available, with students using the resources to conduct research, check e-mail and play online card games.

``It's wonderful,'' said first-year biology student Imani Johnson, logging on to check her e-mail. ``There's no time limit, and you don't always have people standing over you, waiting to use the machine.''

In addition to the main library, students now have access to the wings, which replace annexes that were in use less than four years before they were damaged by the quake and had to be torn down.

``It looks great,'' said second-year accounting student Henry Asatryn, gesturing to the rebuilt west wing, which features an oak-and-brass staircase.

Though they were unavailable for comment, a handful of students seen dozing off in the soft chairs in the third-floor book stacks seemed quite pleased with the new surroundings as well.

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3 photos

Photo:

(1) CSUN President Jolene Koester, left, shares a hearty laugh with L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan as they tour the university's rebuilt Oviatt Library on its official reopening Tuesday.

(2) Decorations and furnishings on the Oviatt Library's front steps herald the buildings official reopening ceremonies Tuesday.

(3) Psychology student Hector Ramirez works on a paper in the ``collaboratory,'' which offers word processing and Internet access.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer