GRAND JUNCTION — Roof leaks, electrical issues and running out of room to expand collections in Mesa State College’s Tomlinson Library are a few of the problems Library Director Elizabeth Brodak has battled in recent years.

The aging library is set to get more room and a facelift after the Mesa State Board of Trustees approved a program plan for expansion of the library at a board meeting Wednesday. The college will ask the state Legislature to approve $23.9 million for the expansion during the 2009 legislative session.

The sooner the money comes, the better, said Brodak.

“Libraries are built at 20-year forecasts. We’re at 22 years,” Brodak said.

Most of the cost — $20.6 million — comes from construction. The rest of the money will cover inspections, program planning, architecture and engineering fees.

The expansion may include expanding the library’s archives and collections, providing a variety of student use areas, planning for new technologies, remodeling the north entrance to the library and providing reliable wireless Internet service throughout the library.

Doug O’Roark, a Mesa State history professor and trustee, said his fellow teachers are looking forward to the expansion.

“Faculty are very excited about expanding the library,” he said.

Reach Emily Anderson at eanderson@gjfreepress.com.