(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Nov. 6, 2018) - - - The City of Columbia recently pledged a $100,000 donation for the renovation of the Columbia State Community College John W. Finney Memorial Library.

"The library is at the heart of college and student learning as the city council and government leadership is at the heart of Columbia. We appreciate the city's recognition of such an important part of the college and the role that Columbia State plays in the development of the city," said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. "Our library serves our students and is open to our community, we thank the city for being a partner in providing this new space for learning."

The new, innovative space is being designed with students in mind. Highlights of the library renovation will include: individual and group learning spaces, conference and meeting spaces, six group study rooms, an instructional classroom and spaces for tutoring, TRiO and evening services.

"As a city, we support education and we really support Columbia State because they do so much for our community and students in surrounding counties," said Dean Dickey, Mayor of Columbia. "We are excited to support the renovation and the resources that it will provide for our students."

Photo Caption: Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president; Dean Dickey, mayor of Columbia; Thad Jablonski, City of Columbia chief financial officer and assistant city manager; and Bethany Lay, Columbia State vice president for advancement and executive director of the Columbia State Foundation.