In July, Mayor Todd Gloria joined Councilmember Joe LaCava and City leaders to break ground on the eagerly anticipated Pacific Highlands Ranch Branch Library. Once completed, the $27 million facility in Pacific Highlands Ranch will provide a variety of new resources for the community.

“The Pacific Highlands Ranch Library’s prime location and incredible amenities will be a welcome addition for San Diegans across the northernmost portion of our city,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Residents are excited for this library, which I know will be a treasured asset in the heart of this community as it continues to expand. Once completed, it will offer spaces for people of all ages to come together to read, study and access technology.”

The 18,000 square-foot facility will include a variety of indoor and outdoor reading areas for all ages, study and conference rooms, a community book exchange, computer area, catering kitchen, a ‘Friends of the Library’ room and improvements to the existing promenade. The building will be LEED Silver-certified which will help meet the City’s Climate Action Plan goals by utilizing all-electric features.

"The unique design features of this library make it much more than just a collection of books. This facility will complete the Pacific Highlands Ranch town center, fulfilling our city's commitment to deliver public facilities that all San Diegans can enjoy," said Councilmember Joe LaCava, who represents District 1. "This library will be well utilized by our residents, whether they be checking out resources, collaborating on school assignments, searching for a job or attending an event, all with the helpful guidance of our city librarians. I look forward to the grand opening in 2024."

The library will also feature public artwork by San Diego-based artist Janelle Iglesias. The piece, “Text/Tile,” will be an immersive terra-cotta tile installation that acts as a word find that spells out words in English, Spanish and Kumeyaay to note the languages of people who have inhabited the land where the library is located.

"The San Diego Public Library is thrilled that construction is about to begin on the new Pacific Highlands Ranch Library," said Library Director Misty Jones. "The new library will be an invaluable resource, providing services that are uniquely tailored to meet the needs of this growing community. The library has partnered with the community from the beginning of the development process, and we look forward to continuing that relationship for years to come."

Originally, construction of the library was expected to start in fall 2020 and open in early 2022, but the work was delayed primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction is expected to take more than two years with an estimated completion date in fall 2024.