President and mayor unveil a new chapter in TCC history by opening Joint-Use Library on the Virginia

President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani and Virginia Beach Mayor William D. Sessoms Jr. celebrated the culmination of the partnership between TCC and the city by welcoming throngs of students and residents to the opening of the Joint-Use Library on Aug. 17.

“Isn’t this exciting?” Baehre-Kolovani asked the appreciative crowd eager to experience the offerings of the largest and most innovative library in the region. The 125,000-square foot building houses a collection exceeding 128,000 items, includes an interactive children’s room and 200 computers for drop-in use, and extends more services to the TCC campus and the community than either could offer separately.

“You’re going to love it,” Baehre-Kolovani assured.

Saturday’s community celebration featured multiple outdoor activities for youngsters, family story times and e-gadget demonstrations. Tours were given throughout the day, and by closing, nearly 2,500 materials had been checked out.

Baehre-Kolovani and Sessoms dedicated the library on Friday evening, each placing a book in a permanent display case. The first two books of the Joint-Use Library collection are “Acts of Optimism,” TCC’s photo documentary, and Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” Both books were exchanged and signed at the groundbreaking for the library in February 2012.

Virginia Beach Provost Mike Summers acknowledged former TCC President Deborah DiCroce and City Manager James Spore for their persistence and dedication to the project, which sprang from a lunch meeting between the two. Summers also thanked Meyera Oberndorf, the former Virginia Beach mayor, Senator Mark Warner, Governors Tim Kaine and Bob McDonnell, and Virginia’s Community Colleges Chancellor Glenn Dubois, all longtime supporters of the Joint-Use Library.

Retiring Virginia Beach Public Library Director Marcy Sims also gave a special thanks to the Virginia Beach Library Foundation and the Friends of Virginia Beach Public Library for their respective donations of $130,000 and $50,000, funds targeted for early literacy activity centers and unique features in the children’s room. Sims is retiring Sept. 1 after 37 years in her position; the children’s room in the Joint-Use Library is named in her honor.

The Joint-Use Library will be open according to TCC’s library hours.