By Sara Ballenger

After putting up with dust and noise since construction began in April 2000, students at Mountain View High School were finally able to check out materials from the school’s new library, which opened last Monday.

The library, which cost $2.6 million, is part of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District’s $58 million facilities renovation plan, now nearing completion.

“The new library is incredible,” said Principal Pat Hyland. “People have been impressed with its professional feel. It can only have a positive impact on the learning environment.”

The 13,000-square-foot library, which sits adjacent to the quad, features a main reading room, staff and study rooms, computer labs and wooden rocking chairs.

“We planned to hold about 30,000 volumes,” said head librarian Debra Gable. “We don’t have anywhere near that many, so we have room to grow. We also have a little more than 50 computers for students to use.”

Just off the main library is a tutorial center, complete with computers and tables for students to work. “The tutorial center is staffed by teachers from different backgrounds who sign up for different time slots to help students with their work,” Gable said. “The students should think of the tutorial center as a good place to study and to do work. They don’t have to work with a tutor to work in the tutorial center.”

Students are excited to have access to the new library. “I am really proud of my school,” said Kristal Meraz, senior. “We are finally getting better equipment for studying and better resources. It’s not so crowded, it’s much more organized. It’s like a new start for our school.”

With the library’s central location on campus, staff and administrators hope it will become a main learning center for students.

“The main reading room and the adjunct rooms are bright, attractive and very appropriate spaces,” said Superintendent Rich Fischer. “This library will become the heart of the campus, and it says a great deal about the value our community places on learning.”

Gable hopes to hold online research and information skills training for both students and parents in the computer labs. “I hope to have some community outreach classes,” she said, “like classes for parents to learn about the online resources that are available to students.”

Gable also hopes the very design and architecture of the building will inspire students. “One terrific thing is the way the building was conceived,” she said. “The kids come in and are wowed by it. The impressive high ceilings make them feel like it’s a real library.”

The district and the high school also hope to plan a community open house in January, Gable added.

The library is open for extended hours before and after school, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the tutorial center open until 5 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

For more information, call Debra Gable at 940-4619.