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Murrieta library seeks donors to complete $4.5K‑sq‑ft children’s expansion; $1.5M state grant secured
Summary
Library manager described a planned 4,500 sq. ft. expansion of the children’s area, said the project has secured a $1.5 million California State Library Building Forward grant and roughly $2.5 million toward the project, and asked the community to help reach a $550,000 minimum fundraising target (and up to $1.5M for garden elements).
Library Manager Melvin Rosales told the Parks and Recreation Commission that the Murrieta Public Library is planning a roughly 4,500‑square‑foot expansion of its children’s area to add a story‑time room, interactive play areas and multipurpose space.
Rosales said funding includes a $1,500,000 Building Forward grant from the California State Library and “about $2,500,000” currently designated toward the project. He said the project budget contemplates at least $550,000 through fundraising to complete the building shell and that $1,500,000 would enable additional garden space and other elements. "Any donation is going to be meaningful," Rosales said, and staff and the Murrieta Public Library Foundation are pursuing grassroots donors, school PTAs and legacy donors through Council and staff connections.
The presentation included a short fundraising video inviting residents to donate via muriatalibraryfoundation.org and a GoFundMe; Rosales said the foundation has raised about $240,000 so far and continues community outreach at events. Commissioners volunteered to repost materials and suggested staff share short social assets and emailable snippets to commissioners for wider distribution.
Commissioners asked about naming opportunities and larger donors; staff discussed hypothetical recognition levels during the exchange (commission discussion referenced amounts such as $125,000 for a room/name and $400,000 for larger recognition). Rosales said the project team is coordinating designs with SVA and aiming to put the project out to bid by June to award a construction contract in August, with design approvals expected in May or June.
Rosales also noted the expansion would free up the current multipurpose room for broader use by teens and adults, and staff emphasized the expansion’s role in serving families in rapidly growing multifamily neighborhoods. The library manager requested commission help connecting to potential donors and community groups for presentations and fundraising opportunities.
Next procedural steps staff outlined include finalizing design by May/June, publishing bid documents in June and returning for contract awards once funding and bids are in place.
