Lakeside celebrates opening of new library branch

Lakeside celebrates the opening of its new library at 10 a.m. Saturday with a ribbon-cutting, tours, art displays and other activities for the public.

San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson will be on hand for the grand opening at 12428 Woodside Ave., as will Migell Acosta, director of the San Diego County Library; Joel Scalzitti, chair of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce; and Terry Burke-Eiserling of the Friends of the Lakeside Library, which helped raise funds for the building.

The grand opening will also feature arts and crafts, including Western hat making and leather pressing, a quilt display, and a Scavenger Hunt. Live language interpretation for the event is available upon request. Contact the library at least 72 hours before the event.

The new library is about 16,000 square feet — three times as large as the previous structure, which was built in 1961. Ground was broken in July 2021 for the project. The county paid $17.9 million for the building and $1.4 million for the land.

The library was designed to be a solar-powered Zero Net Energy building. Parking includes 60 oversize stalls, two electric-vehicle charging stations, and a drop-off area near the building front.

Features include: public Internet computers and free wireless Internet access for laptop users inside and outside the branch; automated returns and check-out; a laptop checkout kiosk; a themed Children’s Area with space for story times and crafts; a Teen Space with study rooms; and a Homework Center where students can work together on class assignments. A 2,200-square-foot community room will be available for large events, featuring a patio and serving kitchen.

There will also be a “Vet Connect” area to connect veterans to resources through the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs; a community room and conference room; and a space for the Friends of the Library bookstore.

Library hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (619) 443-1811; visit sdcl.org/locations/21.