Options for new library underway

“Don’t go to the end, think of the path,” was the advice from Jose Aponte, San Diego County’s Library Director. Aponte joined Friends of the Fallbrook Library (FFL) on Tuesday to discuss the progress of a new local facility.

FFL has already raised $1.8 million for this new home, which Aponte believes will benefit them in their efforts to have the county construct it. “Your core team is so committed to this project,” he said.

“I think <a library in> Fallbrook will be built,” said Aponte. “I really do.”

He encouraged FLL to “use everything you can” and cited an example of two libraries he worked with in Colorado Springs. They partnered with other local organizations to cut costs, like the fees of sewer hookups and other benefits from the water agency, which Aponte estimated a savings over $25,000.

The group has agreed on four options to present to Supervisor Bill Horn in an appeal for the county to build a library. The options plan to retrofit the current building and have the entire facility range between 18,300 and 26,000 square feet. As FLL member Jennifer Jeffries pointed out, “Unless we’re going to build this ourselves, the county decides.”