Introduced by state Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, the bill increases the appropriation for preliminary plans, working drawings and construction of SF State's Library and the California State Library's Sutro Library to a total of $116,553,000.

Funding for the project comes from the state's Public Buildings Construction Fund and will be available through June 30, 2010. The University requested the additional state support due to increased construction costs for the Library project.

"This bill not only secures funding for a crucial facility on one of the largest campuses in the California State University system, but also for a library that will benefit the public at large," Migden said.

The J. Paul Leonard Library, built in 1952, will be transformed into a state-of-the-art, 378,000 square-foot facility, resulting in a 34-percent increase in space. It will include expanded study areas, new building entrances, an automated book retrieval system, seismic retrofit, and renovated mechanical, heating and ventilating systems. The Sutro Library and SF State's Labor Archives and Research Center will move from their current location near campus to the renovated and expanded SF State Library.

"The J. Paul Leonard Library is the heart of the San Francisco State campus, serving as a vital resource for learning and research," President Robert A. Corrigan said. "The University is grateful to Sen. Migden, the Legislature and Gov. Schwarzenegger for support of this great public asset. I would also like to extend my gratitude to University Advancement and its office of Government Relations for their work to secure this much-needed funding."

Ground breaking for the renovation and expansion is expected in 2008, completion by 2012. The Library will remain open during construction.

SF State is seeking private support for the Library project in addition to the state funding.

The J. Paul Leonard Library is ranked No. 2 among all CSU campus libraries in total circulation. Its special collections include materials on the history of SF State; the San Francisco Bay Area Television News Archives with KQED, KTVU and KPIX historical film footage as its core; the Frank V. de Bellis Collection, a library-museum of Italian authors and subjects; and the Labor Archives and Research Center, preserving Bay Area labor history.

-- Matt Itelson