News for San Diego and Beyond
Your support makes it possible for us to do more events, offer more resources and truly make a difference in people’s lives. And when you do that, people have a way of creating news themselves in the form of achievement and progress that can impact the world. That’s the real benefit of Helping Minds Grow. Is there some Library news you think we should share? Let us know by calling Charlie Goldberg at (619) 238-6620 or by e-mail.
09/01/2016
San Diego Magazine
Misty Jones: “Libraries are the great equalizer”
San Diego Public Library Director Misty Jones speaks of the encounter with a patron that changed her professional life and reinforced for her the critical importance of libraries in the community.
08/31/2016
NBC7 San Diego
Library and volunteer print new prosthetic hand
Central Library’s Lend A Hand Club helped design and print a new prosthetic hand for Nick Sissakis.
02/29/2016
San Diego Union-Tribune
“First Folio” celebrations announced
The long-awaited San Diego visit by the First Folio, the 17th-century volume that introduced Shakespeare’s collected works to the world, is now barely three months away. And the Old Globe Theatre and the San Diego Public Library, which teamed to bring the book here as part of the Folger Shakespeare Library’s national traveling exhibition, have just announced the full schedule not just for Folio viewing but for the scads of free events leading up to and surrounding its arrival.
09/15/2015
Fox5 San Diego
San Diego Zoo Kids, a groundbreaking educational television channel that will entertain young kids, is now a part of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common to connect them to wildlife
07/16/2015
San Diego Reader
A review of the The Kassianna (Living Room) cafe at the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common.
07/12/2015
The La Jolla Light
The La Jolla/Riford Branch Library launches a new 3-D printing and biotech lab, the first of its kind in the nation.
07/10/2015
The San Diego Union-Tribune
The Auditorium at the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common has been dedicated to the late San Diego journalism icon Neil Morgan.
06/02/2015
Here & Now from Boston NPR radio (WBUR)
In 1915, San Diego Hired A Rainmaker And Floods Ensued
San Diego Public Library Special Collections Librarian Rick Crawford discusses the curious case of Charles Hatfield who claimed to have brought rain to San Diego in 1915.
03/12/2015
Orange County Register
Libraries are becoming hubs for collaboration and innovation
Irvine is considering a new library that would be a workplace hub for collaboration, technology and social interaction. Leaders there point to the transformation in what a Library can be as a leading reason why the facility is essential to their community and use the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common as an example of that transformation.
01/15/2015
UT-San Diego
Mayor Faulconer announces efforts to allow adults to earn a high school diploma at the Library and to increase internet access speed
In his State of the City address, Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced the launch of Career Online High School that allows adults to earn a high school diploma using Library resources. He also announced his plans to triple the speed of internet access at all San Diego Public Library locations.
01/07/2015
UT-San Diego
Library: Heart of Logan Heights. Cherished San Diego branch celebrates 100th anniversary
The cherished Logan Heights Library celebrated its 100th year of serving the community in January 2015. UT-San Diego looks at how the Library has served the community over the past century.
08/28/2014
UT-San Diego
Mitch Albom visits Central Library for ideas to take home to Detroit
Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays With Morrie and the Five People You Meet in Heaven, recently toured the Central Library for ideas to take back and implement in Detroit. Mr. Albom recently purchased a shuttered library from the City of Detroit for $1 and is looking to reopen it.
07/29/2014
U-T San Diego
Urban Library Council honors Joan and Irwin Jacobs
The Urban Library Council presented Irwin and Joan Jacobs for their leadership and generosity that helped ensure completion of the Central Library that now bears their name. In naming the Jacobs the recipients of the prestigious 2014 Urban Player Award, the Council noted that the Jacobs involvement ensured “the library was able to open last fall debt-free and without the assistance of city bonds, general fund money or new taxes.”
06/11/2014
UT San Diego
Library gains hours, tutoring program and materials funding in approved budget
The San Diego City Council approved and Mayor Faulconer signed a fiscal year 2015 budget that increase library hours at all locations to a level not seen in ten years. The Library-friendly budget also includes money for an after-school tutoring program at 18 branches. The City Council also returned $500,000 to the Library’s materials budget that was originally removed in the proposed budget.
05/25/2014
UT San Diego
Library Shop Manager Erin Zlotnik profile
The Library Shop at the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common is a unique shopping venue cooperatively run by the Library Foundation, Friends of the Library and the San Diego Public Library. All proceeds support the Library system. UT San Diego talked with Shop Manager Erin Zlotnik.
05/20/2014
U-T San Diego
$10 million donation moves Hillcrest-Mission Hills Library
A $10 million private donation may allow construction crews to break ground soon on a long-awaited library branch serving Hillcrest and Mission Hills. The gift, which consists of $5 million from the Hervey family and $5 million from an anonymous donor, covers nearly half the cost of the $20.3 million project.
05/14/2014
UT San Diego
Promising start for story of library
Seven months after the opening of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common, UT columnist looks at the progress. “It still has some surprises up its civic sleeve. From happy success stories to a few plot wrinkles.”
04/16/2014
UT San Diego
Mayor’s proposed FY15 budget would add hours to all San Diego libraries
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is proposing additional hours at all libraries. If approved, this budget would result in the highest number of open library hours in a decade. The budget would mean each Library would be open at least 48 hours a week. Currently, eight libraries are open Sundays. The proposed budget would expand that to 12 libraries open Sundays. Additionally, the Central Library would be open an additional five hours a week to 54 hours. This budget also creates a new service to provide after-school tutoring at 18 libraries in neighborhoods where standardized test scores have been the lowest in the city.
03/17/2014
10News
Central Library a popular new spot for for events, including weddings
Library Director Deborah Barrow informed the City Councils Budget Committee about the new Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common’s popularity among groups holding meetings. More than 70 events were booked at the library through January of this year, including author talks, luncheons, concerts and bar mitzvahs. Another 70 are booked through the end of this fiscal year on June 30. The Library also is a hot new spot to tie the knot, with requests for matrimonial ceremonies coming in at a rate of 10 per month.
02/26/2014
UT-San Diego
Baseball research material donated to the Library a treasure trove
The San Diego Public Library was selected by the estate of William Weiss as the home of Mr. Weiss’ legendary baseball history collection. The collection was jointly donated to the Library and the local chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research and will be on permanent display on the eighth floor in the San Diego Central Library’s Sullivan Family Baseball Research Center.
02/26/2014
Engineering News and Analysis
San Diego’s Library Dome is a Structural Wonder
The new San Diego Central Library project features a broad range of unique structural solutions, from its cast-in-place architectural concrete frame beams and columns to its exposed concrete waffle slabs. Its chief crowning glory, however, is its distinctive silver dome. The dome that sets the building off, providing shade and acclimatising the eighth floor main reading room, is the largest steel post-supported segmented dome in the world.
02/19/2014
UT San Diego
Central Library earns national engineering award
The latest kudo for the new San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common is the 2013 National Award for Excellence in Structural Engineering. The award recognizes creative structural design, engineering that solves complex problems and innovative use of techniques. The dome was specifically cited by the National Council of Structural Engineers Association’s award as the largest steel post-supported segmented dome in the world.
01/21/2014
City Beat
San Diego Public Library’s Visual Arts Program evolves
Kara West takes on new role of guiding and expanding the San Diego Public Library’s Visual Arts Program. West oversees an expansive arts program. Her goal, she says, is to make it more transparent and accessible.
01/21/2014
City Heights Life
READ San Diego program helps parents prepare their children to read
The new Ready to Read program will provide parents a free, literacy toolkit that will include activities, ideas, and supplies that they can use to prepare their children for school. The initiative is a partnership of several community organizations, including READ San Diego, the Library’s literacy program.
01/16/2014
Mayor Todd Gloria State of the City Address
Mayor Gloria calls Central Library “icon that embodies San Diego’s commitment to the future”
Mayor Gloria led off his State of the City remarks hailing the San Diego Central Library. “San Diegans dreamed of a new central library. Public, private and nonprofit sectors worked together to make that dream a reality. That’s how it’s supposed to work. The library is a road map for San Diego to follow as we chart our path to the future. Built with unprecedented collaboration, its soaring heights and breathtaking architecture remind us of the need to dream big, and the importance of working hard to accomplish those dreams.”
01/15/2014
U-T San Diego
New City bond measure contains funds for four branch library improvements
The City Council unanimously approved funds to meet a backlog of needed infrastructure projects, including funds for branch library improvements at the Hillcrest-Mission Hills, San Carlos, Skyline Hills and San Ysidro Branch Libraries.
01/08/2014
San Diego Uptown News
Ralph DeLauro Brings Great Cinema to San Diego Libraries
When the lights dim and the first scene of a film begins at the Central Library’s Film Forum, Ralph DeLauro feels most alive. DeLauro, beloved by film buffs all around San Diego, has presented films at libraries for decades. It’s not a way of life for him; it is his life.
12/13/2013
Chicago Tribune
Libraries evolving to meet American’s new information needs
Americans are moving away increasingly from the printed page to digital screens for information and communication. Library leaders nationwide are adapting to this shift by reimagining the library as an engaged community center. The role of librarians is being re-branded to reflect their expertise as content curators and trusted navigators in an ever-expanding ocean of information — in whatever format it may exist.
12/11/2013
Pew Internet & American Life Project
95 percent of Americans believe public libraries are key to giving everyone a chance to succeed
A national survey of Americans reveals that they strongly value the role of public libraries in their communities, both for providing access to materials and resources and for promoting literacy and improving the overall quality of life. Most Americans say they have only had positive experiences at public libraries, and value a range of library resources and services.
12/04/2013
San Diego Magazine
Highly Hospitable to Art
All nine floors of the new Central Library have art on the walls, and occasionally on the floor. Commissioned works, large and small, have been smoothly integrated into its interior. The new downtown center for literature and learning–and art and culture–is a public destination that is decisively hospitable to art.
12/02/2013
Webcam video
A unique webcam movie detailing construction of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common from ground level (April 2010) through the end of construction.
11/27/2013
Publisher's Weekly
The Library Shop Opens in San Diego
New Library Shop at the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common full of great literary themed items. A partnership among the Library Foundation and the Friends of the San Diego Public Library, the shop features a selection of books, jewelry, children’s merchandise, gifts and library-branded totes, mugs, and T-shirts. Shop proceeds support the Library system.
11/27/2013
Chula Vista Genealogy Cafe
Visiting the New San Diego Central Library
Our new downtown library is truly a wonder…including the Marilyn and Gene Marx Special Collections Room and genealogical resources. Thanks to the San Diego Genealogical Society’s addition of their large collection, this is now the largest genealogical collection in the region.
11/27/2013
Solutions for State and Local Government
San Diego Central Library Goes with Passive Optical
Technology news…A new passive optical network should reduce the library’s network power costs and operational costs by more than half.
10/21/2013
KPBS
Which artist has the most work on view in new San Diego Library?
Visual art isn’t usually the main attraction at a library, but it has definitely become more prominent at San Diego’s brand new central library.
10/18/2013
San Diego Magazine
Inside the new Central Library It’s not just a library, folks. It’s a community hangout!
A lot of people see the word “library” and think of an outdated, smelly room with dusty paper volumes. But the new Central Library at 330 Park Boulevard (near Petco Park) is a spectacular, high-tech, art-filled community hang-out.
10/07/2013
Voice of San Diego
Behind grand new library, a distinct vision
Architect Rob Wellington Quigley’s buildings are a bit like the full name he likes to use — a blend of casual, refined and quirky.
10/05/2013
San Diego News
New library opens amid literary fanfare
With its gleaming silver dome etched across downtown’s cityscape, the new, nine-story central library was officially dedicated Sept. 28 with praise, song and cheers from a throng of well-wishers.
10/04/2013
San Diego Downtown News
New library ‘a dream come true’
Bands played and children sang while politicians and dignitaries extolled the virtues of the new high-tech library at an all-day festival of food, entertainment and fun for the official public dedication of San Diego’s new Downtown Central Library on Saturday, Sept. 28.
10/04/2013
U-T San Diego
Browsing the new library
In addition to being huge, the new San Diego Central Library at Joan and Irwin Jacobs Common is all-encompassing.
10/03/2013
La Jolla Light
Stories Full of Stories: San Diego’s new Central Library is a landmark achievement
After 30 years of planning, controversy, fundraising and hard work, the new San Diego Central Library is finally a reality, and deserves a rousing cheer, or three.
10/03/2013
U-T San Diego
Central Library use soaring
New downtown landmark draws 8,000 daily, many new library card applicants
10/02/2013
San Diego Free Press
Opening of the New San Diego Central Library: a Grand and Glorious Occasion
Saturday, Sept. 28, will go down in San Diego history as the day the much awaited central library opened in San Diego.
10/02/2013
San Diego CityBeat
New San Diego library: a living monument to literacy
On June 28, 2010, the San Diego City Council was asked to allow construction of a new central library to proceed in East Village. The problem was that the project was $32.5 million short and up against a hard deadline.
09/30/2013
NBC 7 San Diego
New Central Library opens to public
After 30 years of planning the new San Diego Central Library will open to the public. NBC 7’s Sherene Tagharobi reports.
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Sherene6A0930_San-Diego-225822571.html#ixzz2ju8McVhr
09/30/2013
10 News
San Diego Central Library opens to the public
The $185 million, nine-story facility at 330 Park Blvd. in downtown’s East Village opened at 9:30 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m., according to library officials, who said the normal hours of operation for Mondays will be noon to 8.
09/30/2013
NBC 7 San Diego
Tour the new SD Central Library
The San Diego Central Library has its grand opening festival on Sept. 28, but NBC 7’s Greg Bledsoe got a sneak peek at what awaits inside.
09/30/2013
KPBS
After 30 years, San Diego Central Library now open to the public
The weekend was filled with inaugural ceremonies for the new library, but Monday is its first day open for business.
09/30/2013
U-T San Diego
Marriage proposal is written in stone in library courtyard
Patio proposal: Jonathan Moore, 44, gave his girlfriend a brick for Christmas. Not just any brick.
09/30/2013
U-T San Diego
First users hail new library
Newcomers lined up for library cards and regulars found new niches for reading as only minor glitches marred the long-awaited opening of the $196.7 million San Diego Central Library at Joan and Irwin Jacobs Common.
09/29/2013
San Diego Free Press
Photo Gallery: Sneak Peek of the San Diego Central Library
The San Diego Central Library, “a dream 30 years in the making” according to T-shirts worn by the staff, is a dream on the cusp of being realized as it opens for business Monday, Sept. 30, at 9:30 a.m.
09/29/2013
Los Angeles Times
San Diego celebrates its long-awaited new library
The first of 46 studies saying the city needed a new central library was done in 1971. At last, $184.9 million later, here it is.
09/29/2013
U-T San Diego
Library stories at your feet
In the last year or so, supporters of the San Diego Public Library Foundation have purchased more than 3,000 specially inscribed commemorative bricks that are set into the library’s ground floor.
09/28/2013
KUSI
Thousands gather for dedication of brand new Central Library
This thirty-year dream is now a reality. Sunday thousands gathered to celebrate the dedication of the 300,000-square-foot library.
09/28/2013
10 News
San Diego Central Library dedicated, official name unveiled
San Diego’s long-awaited Central Library was dedicated Saturday in front of thousands of area residents, as the $185 million facility’s official name was unveiled and a last major donation was announced.
09/28/2013
U-T San Diego
Central Library: A smile-filled sneak peek
The San Diego Central Library, renamed and fully funded, opened for a smile-filled sneak peek in downtown’s East Village Saturday, with kids craning for a chance to check out a book and parents itching to see the panoramic views from the dome-topped roof.
09/28/2013
U-T San Diego
Touring the new Central Library
The new Central Library offers diverse spaces for reading, art, performance and community engagement. Explore the architect’s favorite spots and listen to him talk about his inspiration for each.
09/27/2013
U-T San Diego
A San Diego Dream Comes True
Finally, after 36 years, San Diego this weekend gets a visionary new downtown central library — and so much more. It is a library for the digital age and for the age of civic engagement.
09/25/2013
Voice of San Diego
Photos: Inside the New Central Library
The new San Diego Central Library is slated to host a sneak-peek opening on Saturday and today, they offered media a sneak peek of the sneak peek.
09/21/2013
U-T San Diego
Subtext Of Joy
Architect highlights whimsical features of dome-topped Central Library, which will be dedicated on Saturday.