Murrieta Public Library to close Nov. 3–7 for children’s expansion; curbside pickup offered

Murrieta Public Library will close Monday through Friday, Nov. 3–7 to allow staff and moving contractors to relocate shelving, furniture and collections ahead of a planned children’s library expansion, Assistant Management Analyst Gretchen Sedlachek told the Library Advisory Commission on Oct. 20. "The library will be closed, as Melvin mentioned, for 5 days, Monday through Friday, November 3 through November 7, to safely relocate materials and furniture in preparation for construction on the children's library expansion project," Sedlachek said.

During the closure the library will provide curbside pickup for holds from Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Friday, Nov. 7 at the south staff entrance; patrons will receive notifications when items are ready. Outdoor book returns will remain open and some "library of things" items may be returned at curbside, but indoor browsing, computer use and printing will be paused, Sedlachek said. The library is scheduled to reopen Saturday, Nov. 8 with the children's area blocked off for construction and a temporary relocation of the children's collection to the current teen area.

Library administration presented the construction schedule and fundraising status to commissioners. Melvin Rosales told the commission that mobilization and fencing are in place at the Carol Carson Garden of Verses and site demolition and grading are underway. He reported the Murrieta Library Foundation has raised more than $168,000, Friends of the Murrieta Library has pledged $104,000, and a water district commitment added $110,000; Rosales said combined community and agency support "exceeds about $382,000." "From October through mid‑December the crews are gonna focus on-site utilities... foundation and slab work is scheduled through mid‑January," Rosales said.

Staffing and programs will continue to be supported during construction, Rosales added. He summarized recent recruitments and promotions and noted the library updated its Polaris integrated library system. The Teen Advisory Council will host the library booth at the Temecula Promenade Santa's Arrival event on Nov. 15, Rosales said.

Sedlachek said construction of the children's area will begin later in November and is anticipated to continue through October 2026. The library will post updates on the City of Murrieta and Murrieta Public Library web and social channels and place notices on the city digital display board.

What happens next: the library will close Nov. 3–7 for moves and storage; curbside pickup will run Nov. 4–7; reopening is planned for Nov. 8 with construction continuing into 2026.