Escondido Library has scheduled its relocation for April 26.

Patrons of the Escondido Public Library are advised to take note of the impending relocation as the facility prepares for a significant renovation. The library, which has served the community for many years, is scheduled to conduct its final operations at its current location on April 26, with a planned closure for renovations shortly thereafter.

The city has set May 27 as the target date for the library’s temporary reopening on the first floor of North County Mall, located at 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway. This move is expected to accommodate library services while construction is underway at the original building.

As part of the transition, April 25 will mark the final day for patrons to request holds on library items. After this date, those holds can be picked up at the Pioneer Room, situated at 247 S. Kalmia St., starting on April 28. The Pioneer Room, located in a separate building adjacent to the library, will continue to provide essential services including public computer access, printing facilities, and limited browsing of new books.

To facilitate returns during the renovation period, the library has extended the due date for items borrowed from April 28 to May 26, with all returns due by May 30. Patrons can return items at designated book drops located both inside and outside the Pioneer Room. Furthermore, returned materials can be dropped off at the North County Mall location following its reopening.

In addition to physical services, library patrons will still have access to a range of eBooks and eAudiobooks through digital resources available on the library’s website. Starting April 28, the Pioneer Room will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, reverting to regular hours after May 26, which will consist of Thursday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and limited hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

Storytime sessions for children are slated to resume at the Mathes Center on May 5, though participation will be limited due to space constraints, necessitating restrictions on the number of attendees and the absence of stroller parking.

Renovation work on the original library premise at 239 S. Kalmia St. is set to commence in June. The planned upgrades will address essential repairs, including roof leaks, as well as improvements to the air conditioning systems, lighting, and overall interior space. The community eagerly anticipates these enhancements, which aim to modernize the library’s facilities and better serve the needs of its patrons.

For further information, visit the Escondido Public Library’s official page.