The new 9 story, downtown library is on schedule to open in September, 2013.  Bricks are being sold as a fundraiser.  They will be inscribed with the donor’s name, and start at $150, depending upon the size of the brick.  An anonymous donor has purchased 36 bricks, one for each of the branch libraries.

Dr. Seuss characters will be displayed on the walls of the children’s area as you enter.  A rock garden is planned.

Patrons will be allowed two hours of free parking, and there will be a coffee shop.

The San Diego Friends of the Library  and Library Foundation are planning a joint venture gift shop filled with unique items–something for everyone. In honor of the opening of the new Central Library, until September, 2013, Life Memberships in the San Diego Friends of the Library are available for half price ($250).  Membership funds stay with your branch library.

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In celebration of the opening of San Diego’s New Main Library, The Friendss of the San Diego Library are have a half-price Lifetime Membership SALE.  The regular price for a Life Membership is $500 but through September, 2013, the cost will be only $250.  Forms may be found on this website or envelops are available inside the vestibule of the library.  All Membership funds stay with the local branch library that you sign up with.  Funds are matched by the City of San Diego and are used to purchase books, programs, and equipment.  CLICK HERE for more information.  SIGN UP TODAY!

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The new Downtown San Diego Central Library is due to open in July, 2013, and is offering patrons as well as the general public, opportunities to leave a legacy to San Diegans for themselves or to honor friends and loved ones with a special recognition gift to the Central Library.  This may be accomplished in several ways.

Support the City Library with a brick for your family or organization..  You will then own a lasting piece of a community treasure.  A limited number of bricks are now available, and you must make your purchase by January 31, 2013 to ensure installation by the July grand opening.  Your contrbution level ($150 to $1000+) determines your brick’s placement in the library.  Brick purchases are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  For complete information Click Here to how you can “Buy a Brick.”

Additional Gift Recognition Opportunities are available for you to recognize your family or honor a loved one.  Click Here to learn about the donation opportunities for the New Central Library downtown.

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 The Friends of the San Carlos Library are proud to offer this keepsake ornament depicting the New Central Library scheduled to open in July, 2013. Profit from the sale of this ornament will be added to our own  San Carlos Branch Library building fund.  The price of each ornament is $10.  They are on sale now.  Please ask one of the San Carlos Branch Library staff how you may purchase this keepsake ornament.

For further information about the new Central San Diego Library, now under construction, go to https://www.supportmylibrary.org/centrallibrary/aboutproject.

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President
Friends of the San Diego Public Library

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On July 10, 2007, City Councilmember Jim Madaffer hosted a well attended community wide meeting at the San Carlos Library, where architect David Pfeifer, AIA, of Dominy + Associates gave an excellent presentation of the updated plans for the new San Carlos Library to be constructed on the corner of Golfcrest and Jackson.

Questions and concerns from the audience were answered by both Mr. Pfeifer and Mr. Madaffer.

Mr. Madaffer fielded questions that concerned the timing of the ground breaking for the new library. He assured us that he, the entire City Council and Mayor Jerry Sanders are committed to the library system. He feels that this library will be ready for bonding within twelve to eighteen months. This should coincide with the final approval of the cleanup of contamination from the gas station that was on the corner of Golfcrest & Jackson. Construction cannot begin until this final approval is given.

At 25,000 square feet, the San Carlos Library will be one of the largest branch libraries in the San Diego area. The upper 17,000 square foot level, accessed directly from the parking lot, is all dedicated library space. Special areas for staff, check out, children, teens, adults, meetings, and computer users of all ages will be delineated while still being expertly combined into a one story, open floor plan. A fireplace and outdoor patio area have been designed for quiet reading. The buildings lower level comprises an additional 8000 square feet, and will house a 2600 square foot community room with stage and service kitchen, a large patio area for quiet reflection or entertaining, an area for Friends of the Library book storage and sales, conference rooms, rest rooms, and a police store front. The lower level can be accessed from its own 10 parking spaces, or from the upper 68 parking spaces via an outside elevator or stairwwell. The entire structure is state of the art handicap accessible. The interior and exterior design will take their cue from our beautiful San Carlos Mission Trails Park Visitors Center, making use of natural materials and landscaping. The entire project, both in its design and construction, is ecologically friendly with the goal of obtaining a LEED Silver environmental acceditation designation.

If you have any suggestions, questions or concerns about the design of the new San Carlos Branch Library, contact the office of City Councilmember Jim Madaffer.

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