LCAD's New Library is Now State-of-the-Art

Where there used to be automobile part racks and inaccessible boxes of magazines, there are now well-lit movable bookshelves in the newly renovated and expanded art library at the . In celebration of the bigger and better library, LCAD faculty, staff and students were on hand Wednesday at the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

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LCAD library director Jennifer Martinez-Wormser explained that the old library looked like a "cluttered yard sale" and had shelving from an automobile parts manufacturer.

"The library had appropriated one little cubby room and closet after another," said Martinez-Wormser, "so we had this little warren of cubbies all cobbled together. Because we are an art school, we have big books. We had long ago outgrown the space."

Martinez-Wormser explained that the student population grew tremendously in the last several years because the college added more majors and areas of study.

"I was delighted when I heard that they were hoping to expand the library," said Martinez-Wormser. 

Because of major fundraising efforts, the dream of a new and improved art library became a reality.

Before cutting the red ribbon at the door of the art library, LCAD President Jonathan Burke thanked many of those who were responsible for completion of the project.

"It’s really the generosity of a number of donors that are on the board and members of the community that are gracious and willing to support our educational mission."

"Congratulations and thank you to both [LCAD Vice-President of Academic Affairs] Helene Garrison and Jennifer Martinez-Wormser for making this happen," said Burke. "Helene and Jennifer have been working for a couple of years in developing the plans and a vision for the library."

The remodeled library is now 600 square feet larger. New features include bigger tables with more chairs, a custom-made "portfolio valet," and a small group study/meeting room.

Massive electronic bookshelves move together and apart on electronic tracks. These shelves provide twice as much book storage space.

"We wanted the front space to be a flexible space for browsing," said Martinez-Wormser, "and a place for students to 'flop.' It's also a space where we can have lectures and book signings."

During construction of the project, people told Martinez-Wormser she and LCAD students did not need more space.

"They would say 'Everything’s online,'" said Martinez-Wormser. "The reality is, while there are a lot of wonderful things online, there’s an assumption that everything is online. That’s simply not true. Because our students are artists, they are a unique population. They’re looking for the types of details that the online environment typically still isn’t able to offer them."

While people associated with LCAD are the only ones with circulating priviledges, the public is invited to come and enjoy the library's books, magazines, DVDs and other visual materials.

The Laguna College of Art and Design's library may be reached through 949-376-6000 and is located at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.