Del Mar Library Receives a Facelift

The Del Mar Library will be closed Sunday, Dec. 2, as it begins the first phase of construction for a renovation project that has been in the works for more than a year.

The project will give the library an improved look and make changes that will better serve the needs of the community members and library users and include updates such as new furniture and fixtures, desks and shelving, and carpet.

The refurbishment of the 100-year-old building has truly been a community effort, made possible by the joint efforts and funding of the county, the city, and non-profits. The project is estimated to cost between $80,000-$100,000 when completed, says Friends of the Del Mar Library treasurer, Bill Michalsky.

“None of this would have been possible without the help of everyone,” said Michalsky. “There’s a lot going on, and I’m thankful for all the help we’ve received to make this happen.”

The Friends of Del Mar Library, a community non-profit organization, received a Community Development Block Grant of $20,000 from the help and recommendation of San Diego County District 3 Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. The funding will be put towards purchasing new furniture for the library. Four new comfortable, craftsman style chairs and new tables have already been purchased.

With help from the Del Mar Farmer’s Market Board, the Friends of Del Mar Library will provide funding for new carpet, a significant portion of the renovation costs estimated to cost approximately $40,000. The 16-year-old carpet is still the original from when the library first opened in 1996, and the new carpeting will be installed at the end of December. 

The City of Del Mar, which owns the library, has agreed to assist with many of the interior updates such as electrical upgrades and removal of the demolition debris. Additionally, the library will install a new service desk, a laptop bar and mobile shelving units which will be supplied by the San Diego County Library system. 

“It is really going to open up the facility,” said librarian Gretchen Schmidt. “We are going to have better display areas and we’ve purchased new furniture for the kids, teens and adult sections. We really just wanted to utilize more of the natural light and make it roomier to give everyone more space.” 

All renovations will occur in phases over the next 6-8 weeks. Improvements are planned to take place over a series of Mondays, when the library is normally closed in an effort to cause the least amount of disturbance to current users. The library will closed this Sunday for the largest part of the construction process and will continue till Monday night. The large circulation desk will be removed and later replaced by a smaller one. 

“The Board of FDML believes these changes will enhance all your library experience,” stated President Pat Freeman on its website. “Our funds will be greatly depleted as a result but we feel the changes are worth the expense.”

Stop by the library, located at 1309 Camino Del Mar, and see the new and improved facilities. Normal library hours open at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to Sunday, and closes at 6 p.m. Tuesday, 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday.