Eastern Chula Vista’s only public library branch is moving from Eastlake High School to a storefront at Otay Ranch Town Center. Proponents of the move and said it will generate more visitors, help neighboring businesses and create new jobs.
Even so, the move did not excite everyone at Eastlake High.
Jim Merzbacher, Eastlake High School librarian, said the library’s closure is unfortunate and will hurt students at the campus.
“In 2008, I helped organized a concerted effort to prevent downsizing and closure at that time on behalf of the eastern Chula Vista community,” said Merzbacher. “The closure seemed to be inevitable because of budgets, desire or necessity to downsize, as well as their desire have more autonomy by their middle and upper management.”
Tim Colby, general manager of the Otay Ranch Town Center, said the neighboring community is excited about the opening of the library.
“This popular destination will further ties the shopping center into the community and provide families with yet another good reason to visit the center and offer exciting opportunities to work with the library to promote their programs to mutual benefit,” said Colby.
Library employee Jodie Sawina said the new facility will feature Wi-Fi inside and outside of the building. It will also offer family-oriented events and will stay open more hours.
“We are expecting our presence at Otay Ranch Town Center will create an additional draw for busy families in eastern Chula Vista,” said Sawina.
Construction of the new library is currently under way and will take six to eight weeks. Plans are scheduled to have it open in January or February 2012.