When Elida Chavez looks at her community library she sees more than just a building that holds books, computers and DVDs.
“Our community has a major underserved (population of) low-income families, and our children don’t have any other place to go but the library and their schools,” said the president of Friends of the Oak Park Library. “That’s their rec center, that’s their afterschool programs.”
That’s why Thursday was so significant. City officials and Oak Park community members like Chavez gathered at Chollas Lake Park to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Oak Park Library – a long-awaited upgrade after decades of advocacy by library supporters.
Library supporter Elida Chavez speaks at the groundbreaking for the new Oak Park Library. (Photo by Mireya Miner)“Today we break ground on more than just a building,” said San Diego Public Library Director Misty Jones. “We break ground on opportunity, connection and hope for the Oak Park community.”
Library patrons and volunteer groups, such as Oak Park Friends, have championed an expanded or new branch library for years, concerned that the current facility on 54th Street – built over 50 years ago – no longer meets the community’s needs.
Chavez said the current 5,200-square-foot building has the second highest volume of after-school student visitors in the city library system. She credits this partly to the lack of a neighborhood recreation center, making the library a vital space for community members, especially youth.
Secretary of State Shirley Weber, who has lived in Oak Park for 50 years, said that the existing library, despite it’s small size, is “bigger than life to all the children who live in this community.”
When the new two-story Oak Park Library is built, it may finally match the children’s vision. The structure will offer nearly four times more space, at 20,000 square feet. Services and amenities also will be expanded, with reading areas, a new media center, STEM programs, an innovation lab, a podcast room, multipurpose room, community patio and more.
Raul Gudino, deputy director of library operations for the system, said that the $37 million needed for construction has already been secured; $29.3 million will come from state grants, and the remaining costs will be covered by the city’s grant matching commitment, as outlined in the Library Master Plan, which was approved in 2023.
He described the plan as a “systemwide look and approach to capital investment for the next 20 to 30 years” for city libraries. “Whether it’s a refresh, new furniture, or whether it’s a full on new location or expansion, we are ready to go with that (grant funding) match,” he said.
Mayor Todd Gloria attended the ceremony and lifted a shovel for the groundbreaking, though he didn’t speak. He did, however, have to listen to speakers who directly or indirectly referenced proposed budget cuts at the city’s libraries. Though he restored some of them in the May revise of the draft budget, released the day before the Oak Park event, several speakers defended libraries and community investment in general.
“This project represents years of advocacy, partnership and commitment to making sure communities like Oak Park receive the investment they deserve,” said District 4 Councilmember Henry Foster III, who described libraries as “anchors” for local residents.
Weber said libraries are important because they give children “the ability to figure out themselves and the world that they live in.”
Children, standing with Mayor Todd Gloria, second from left, use their shovels at the groundbreaking for the new Oak Park Library on May 14, 2026. (Photo by Mireya Miner)“When I see this place,” she said, “it is a statement that, even though folks think that it’s not important, it really is the most important thing that we can do, and that is to educate our children.”
Construction is set to be completed on the new branch in the spring of 2028. The existing branch will close when the new building opens at Chollas Lake Park.
To ensure a proper fit, design plans for the library were created in collaboration with the city’s Parks and Recreation department to “preserve the intent of the park,” Gudino said. The new location will be accessible from surrounding hiking trails and a new parking lot will be paved at the library entrance.
“It’s a feel-good project,” Gudino said.
While all construction costs are covered, Chavez said that she plans to raise an additional $3.1 million for furniture, an observatory and three statues celebrating impactful community members – the late Jane Dumas, a medicine woman and member of the Jamul Band of Kumeyaay Indians; astronaut José Hernández, who founded Tierra Luna Engineering and will construct the observatory; and former congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis.
“My main thing is to keep the history, culture and language alive,” Chavez said. “We want to make sure that every child has the opportunity to learn the history of each of us, all together.”
An easel featured a rendering of the new Oak Park Library at the groundbreaking for the building on May 14, 2026. (Photo by Mireya Miner)Hence then, the article about oak park breaks ground on feel good project much needed new library at edge of chollas lake park was published today ( ) and is available on Times of San Diego ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Oak Park breaks ground on ‘feel good project’ – much-needed new library at edge of Chollas Lake Park )
Also on site :