WOODLAND HILLS : Event Marks Reopening of Pierce Library

After the Northridge earthquake struck in January, the interior of the Pierce College library resembled a war zone.

Two-thirds of the school’s 100,000 volumes had fallen from their shelves, school officials say. On top of the books were thousands of tiles, which had been shaken loose from the ceiling. On top of everything was a thick layer of dust.

“The people who came in right after to look at the damage said it was eerie and still,” said Florence Robin, chairwoman of the Pierce Library Department.

Thus began an ambitious undertaking to clean up the mess. The original, 35-foot-high ceiling was replaced with a dropped ceiling and a new energy-saving lighting system was installed.

Beginning July 23, the library was closed for seven weeks while construction was under way. It opened again during the second week of the fall term, which began Aug. 23.

On Monday, nearly eight months and $320,000 after the quake, the library was officially opened at a cake-cutting ceremony and reception in its lobby. Pierce President Mary Lee was among those who attended.

“This was an enormous job; this is a large facility,” said Robin.

The repairs were completed on schedule last Wednesday. Summer school, Lee said, started two weeks early in an effort to complete repairs by the opening of the fall semester.

Students on hand for the ceremony said they were happy the repairs were completed. It was an inconvenience during the time the library was closed, they said.

“I had to study outside and that’s distracting,” said Jason Rasgon of Canoga Park, a biology student. “It’s a lot more convenient to study up in the library, where it’s quiet.”

School officials said they felt pressure to complete repairs to the library, which is also used by community members.

“People were calling on the phone and asking when we were going to be open,” said Robin.

“I was worried that they wouldn’t be open by the time I started my research paper,” said Julie Yaron of Chatsworth, a liberal studies major.