La Mesa Library

LA MESA COUNCIL BACKS EXPANDING LIBRARY, NOT BUILDING A NEW ONE

By Jacob Pamus

Photo, right: Interior of existing library


July 27, 2023 (La Mesa) – In July, 2021, La Mesa created a library task force to decide what changes would be made to the San Diego County Library in La Mesa. On July 25th, three options were presented to the La Mesa City Council. All three would result in approximately the same sized facility, around 16,000 square feet, but with different layouts. Two would entail expanding the existing structure, while the third would have authorizing construction of a new facility.


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LIBRARY EXPANSION ON AGENDA FOR LA MESA CITY COUNCIL

Agenda also includes proposal to create a task force to promote arts and culture in La Mesa

By Miriam Raftery

July 25, 2021 (La Mesa) – A proposal to form a task force to look at options for an expanded library will be on the agenda for the La Mesa City Council on Tuesday, July 27.   You can submit comments up to 300 words  to be read aloud at the Council meeting by the City Clerk; comments must be received by 4 p.m. Tuesdy at comments@cityoflamesa.us. Live public comments can also be made via Zoom.

The current La Mesa Library was originally intended as an interim step, after the old library was torn down to make way for a new police station. But the cash-strapped city never raised the anticipated funds for a larger, contempoary library and county matching funding evaporated. But many residents are advocating for the city to live up to its promises to residents.

The issue has sparked lively discussion on the La Mesa Happenings forum on Facebook.


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LIBRARY GETS IN TOUCH WITH KIDS WITH AUTISM

 

Updated January 24, 2021 with a link on ABA therapy for autism. 

A simple suggestion from a parent at the La Mesa Branch Library has initiated a new program for kids with autism.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve heard about in a while for kids on the spectrum,” said Matthew Wion, a dad with two kids on the spectrum who has been taking advantage of the new program.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: LA MESA RECONSIDERS ITS CIVIC CENTER—AGAIN

 

 

Why is library omitted from the plan?

By Dr. Anthony McIvor

February 27, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Tonight the City Council agenda includes a returning item: engagement of an urban planning firm to update feasibility tests for the Civic Center site. Included are the introduction of market-rate housing, as well as office and/or governmental use, park and parking uses in combination with another civic building.

And once again we see a baffling omission.  Surrounding cities – from Alpine to IB – are proudly opening – and winning awards with – new town libraries. Just yesterday, San Diego Mayor Faulconer lauded libraries as “…hubs for inspiration, discovery and opportunity.” But in La Mesa, the long-delayed new library continues to get the crickets treatment at City Hall.

Why?


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LA MESA TO GAIN NEW LIBRARY—AND A VIRTUAL CITY HALL

 

 

By Abel Reader

April 1, 2017 (La Mesa) --By a unanimous vote, La Mesa’s City Council has voted to eliminate City Hall and build a state-of-the-art new library in its place, fulfilling a years-long promise to residents.  The project will be paid for by selling off the old police station to a developer who has committed to build affordable housing on the site.


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WILL LA MESA BUILD A NEW LIBRARY? AND IF SO, WHERE?

 

East County News Service

January 30, 2017 (La Mesa) – When La Mesa’s old police station was torn down and a new one built on the site of the aging County library that was torn down, a modest new library was built that was intended to be temporary, with a larger, new library proposed to be built on the site of the old police station. But a decade after efforts to build a new library began, the interim library building remains, with no plans yet submitted for a replacement—much to the consternation of library patrons advocating for a more spacious facility to meet modern needs.


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LA MESA - MT. HELIX OCTOBER ACTIVITIES

By Kristin Kjaero

October 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – Fall is in the air. Residents have a wealth of options this month with two large festivals, the annual Oktoberfest in the Village, and a new FalFest at Grossmont Center, as well as the annual Intergenerational Games. Local churches are offering a Blessing of Animals and a Fair Trade Gift Fair to sooth the soul, and entertainment opportunities include Halloween activities at Grossmont Center, a school vacation art camp at Mt. Helix, a new mystery at Lamplighters Community, and many clubs at the La Mesa Library. Let’s not overlook the opportunity to give back to our wonderful hometown at the annual Park Appreciation Day and the Human Advisory Commission’s Food Drive!


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IS THE LA MESA LIBRARY "INTERIM" OR "PERMANENT?"

 

Deadline swiftly approaching; residents voice displeasure 

By Kristin Kjaero

September 7, 2015 (La Mesa) -- A controversy arose at the August 11 La Mesa City Council meeting when Friends of the La Mesa Library President John Schmitz noticed that a contract for the city to hire a consultant to conduct a Civic Center/Old Police Station Feasibility Study and Master Plan did not include a permanent library building. He requested that the Council add the library back in, as it was included in earlier Master Plans. Despite this omission, the Council approved the study as is, without the library.

The Council will review a Staff Report on the issue of "Interim" vs. "Permanent" library on its agenda for tomorrow at 4:00 p.m., in which Staff takes the position that the City is not obligated to build a "permanent" Library building.


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LA MESA - MT. HELIX SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES

By Kristin Kjaero

September 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – The delights of the summer are concluding to be supplanted by a rich selection of community offerings for fall. The final performances of the theater and concert season are joined by a variety of classes for every interest, a health fair, a craft fair, e-waste recycling, and outdoor nature and recreation activities galore.


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LA MESA - MT. HELIX AUGUST ACTIVITIES

By Kristin Kjaero

August 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – What a vibrant community we live in! August boasts five free concerts, three free movie screenings, two theater productions, the annual Helix High All Class Picnic, and the annual heART of Mt. Helix. There are free clubs for every age and interest at the La Mesa Library, a broad range of activities at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, and a number of classes at the La Mesa Community Center start in August. For those who love nature there are a number of activities as Mission Trails Regional Park and the Water Conservation Garden, and for the fitness oriented there are several walking groups, aquatics, and even a boot camp. Get out and find your bliss, and while you’re at it meet your neighbors.


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LA MESA - MT. HELIX JULY ACTIVITIES

July 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – There is a lot of free summer entertainment in La Mesa this month, including concerts in the park, a movie under the stars, community theater and a walking club, not to mention a host of club activities for all ages and interests at the library.


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LA MESA - MT. HELIX MAY ACTIVITIES

June 5 (La Mesa) -- Here's what's happening in La Mesa this month!

There are a number of food events this month, including a Fire Station pancake breakfast, a Craft Beer and Wine Fest, the Taste of La Mesa, three nights of food trucks, and two nights of farmers' markets.

But fear not, as there are also several ways to work off all those calories.


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LA MESA MAY ACTIVITIES

By Kristin Kjaero

April 30, 2015 (La Mesa) – With all the activities available this month, there has to be something for everyone here.

Events range from star gazing party on Mt. Helix to a free boot camp, s SANDAG public workshops on regional growth plans through 2050, what is arguable the community's most popular event, the La Mesa Flag Day Parade (if you're not in it, you're probably watching it)... and oh, so much more.


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LA MESA APRIL ACTIVITIES

By Kristin Kjaero

April 9, 2015 (La Mesa) – There’s something for everybody going on this month in La Mesa. There are activities for every age and interest, as well as for mind, body and entertainment.


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HAPPY BIRTHDAY LA MESA LIBRARY!

By Kristin Kjaero

May 26, 2010 (La Mesa) -- Come one, come all and help the La Mesa Library celebrate its second birthday Friday, May 28 with an afternoon of music by Raggle Taggle (2:30 p.m.), refreshments (3:30 p.m.), Lego building (3:45 p.m.), and San Diego County Library Director José Aponte (2:30 –p.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Since the La Mesa branch moved to its current location some 700,000 people have passed through the doors,  1,134,619 items have been checked out, and it was number one for the most circulation of 33 branches in the County Library system with 72,282 items checked out for the month of April.


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