Corona del Mar High unveils new library project with focus on learning spaces, tech over books
Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials unveiled a new Learning Resource Center for the Corona del Mar High and Middle School campus Wednesday.
The estimated $2-million project transforms the existing 6,000-square-foot library near the campus aquatic center.
The library now contains about 5,000 books in print — far fewer than the 30,000 it used to, officials said. Most of the remaining books are fiction titles.
School officials said about 22,000 titles from the library’s old collection hadn’t been checked out in years, likely because most student research has shifted online.
The Learning Resource Center, which received district approvals in 2015 and broke ground in July last year, also features a more open floor plan, with work desks and study rooms for small or large groups. There also is space for college counselors to meet with prospective students.
Saunders + Wiant Architects of Newport Beach designed the facility.
About $1.5 million for the project came from the CdM Foundation, which supports the campus and has been working toward getting the center for about five years. The district chipped in the remaining $500,000.
The foundation’s president, Ellie Campbell, said the center is the largest project in the group’s history.
“This is a big moment for the CdM Foundation and CdM students,” she said. “I’m so excited to be standing here today.”
Supt. Fred Navarro said the project is the largest the district has done in partnership with a foundation.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment, this incredible space,” Navarro said. “This one is the best example of what we have … that is current.”
District trustee Karen Yelsey called the facility conducive to learning in the 21st century.
“If this isn’t a state-of-the-art facility … I don’t know what is,” she said.
Wednesday’s ribbon cutting included a performance by CdM’s madrigal choir and a certificate of recognition from Newport Beach Mayor Marshall “Duffy” Duffield.
Twitter: @BradleyZint
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