The Dream Lives on at Los Angeles City College as the Campus Dedicates its New $22M Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and Makes History with the Inauguration of its New President

L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilman Bernard Parks and News Anchor Pat Harvey among notable speakers

More than 200 guests were on hand to “Experience the Dream” at a recent dual celebration at Los Angeles City College (LACC), where the campus dedicated its new Martin Luther King Jr. Library and celebrated the inauguration of Dr. Jamillah K. Moore as the first African-American to permanently lead the institution.  Notable speakers included L.A. City Council President, Eric Garcetti, LACC Alumnus and Councilman Bernard Parks, award-winning KCAL/CBS Anchor Pat Harvey and a variety of Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) officials.

"While this library is made of brick and mortar, it’s really about the knowledge and the wisdom our students will obtain to build their lives," stated Kelly G. Candaele, president of the LACCD Board of Trustees.  "This state-of-the-art facility is a much-needed resource to more than 15,000 students pursing training certificates or associates degrees here at City College."

“Clearly, the MLK Library is an indication that community colleges serve a large number of people in our community, giving them a resource to succeed and a second chance at education," said Councilman Bernard Parks, an LACC alumnus.  "The naming of this library and Dr. Moore's inauguration are very historic moments."

In 1962, Dr. King delivered his “Future of Integration” speech at the campus.  More than 40 years later, the College honors King’s legacy with a new 63,315 sq. ft. library that houses more than 150,000 books. The new $22 million, green-certified library was funded by the LACCD Bond Construction Program and features an enhanced learning environment with electronic classrooms and ample windows that provide students with natural lighting for studying while reducing the College's power needs.  Additionally, high-tech sun shades cover the windows along the Southern and Eastern sides of the building to help curtail heat.

“We name this library after, perhaps, a man that gave this country more faith than anybody.  A minister by training, quite literally a man of faith, but also one who taught us to believe, not just in God, but to believe in America and her promise," said L.A. City Council President, Eric Garcetti.

Both Dr. Moore's inauguration and the library memorialize MLK’s spirit and serve as a source of pride to the campus and the surrounding community.

"As a former Educational Opportunity Program student, I am honored, humbled and filled with excitement to officially become the 15th president and the first permanent African American to lead this institution," said Dr. Moore.  “More importantly, our new MLK library embodies the spirit of Dr. King's message of equality and access for all, which I hope will inspire our students to dream big toward their future.  I am happy to be part of history."

The Los Angeles Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the country, is in the midst of a $2.2 billion construction and modernization program at its nine campuses.  LACCD has contracted 72 percent of professional services and the construction program's work to date ($693 million as of July 2008 of bond funds) to local, small, emerging and disabled-veteran enterprise businesses.  Companies interested in participating in this renovation and modernization program are encouraged to visit www.LACCDBuildsGreen.org and click on “Contracting & Bidding Site."