Murrieta library outlines 4,500‑sq. ft. children’s expansion, seeks community fundraising

Murrieta’s Library Advisory Commission on April 21 received detailed plans for a 4,500‑square‑foot expansion of the children’s library intended to add programming capacity, a multipurpose room and outdoor learning spaces. Library staff said the project is funded in part by a 2023 California State Library Building Forward grant and that community fundraising will be required to complete the build-out.

Library manager (identified in the record as Mr. Resalius) told the commission the original library opened in 2007 with a 2,700‑square‑foot children’s area and that a Building Forward grant awarded in 2023 provided roughly $1,500,000, with a required 50% local match. “We are going to expand our children's library,” he said, describing the planned increase in space to meet growing demand from families and young readers.

Youth services supervising librarian Katie Matheson walked commissioners through renderings showing distinct toddler and caretaker zones, child‑sized shelving, age‑appropriate computers and a multipurpose room with a retractable wall to allow dual programming. She described outdoor elements including ADA‑accessible planter beds for hands‑on learning and a small amphitheater for outdoor story times.

Staff described the project budget as contemplating at least $550,000 in community fundraising — with a $1.5 million total preferred to accommodate rising construction costs — and reported about $240,000 raised to date. “We have raised approximately $240,000 towards the project,” Mr. Resalius said, listing anticipated and received contributions: Friends of the Library $100,000; the Murrieta Public Library Foundation $100,000; a $5,000 gift from the Professional Women’s Round Table; and a $1,000 donation from ABC Village. The foundation is also running a GoFundMe; staff encouraged commissions and the public to share the foundation’s posts and to invite presentations to local groups.

Commissioners asked practical questions about fundraising tactics, including whether lawn signs increased donations and whether in‑kind event booths could be handled through the budget or as donated value; staff said they would verify tax and city‑attorney guidance on donated booths and noted that tabling at community events has produced donations. Staff also said the library is pursuing presentations to PTAs, HOAs and other groups and thanked Superintendent Ward Anders (noted in the record for assisting with PTA outreach) for help scheduling school‑district contacts.

Staff emphasized that the expansion is intended to support programs for infants through tweens, improve sight lines for staff supervision and create flexible family spaces. Next steps include continuing fundraising outreach, coordination with the Murrieta Public Library Foundation and reporting back to the commission; the commission’s next meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2025.