Groundbreaking: Children's Library Expansion Project

Updated May 2025

The Murrieta Public Library is bursting with young readers, and our kids need more room to grow! With funding from the California State Library, Library Development Impact Fees, and fundraising support from the Murrieta Public Library Foundation, The City of Murrieta is launching an exciting expansion of the Children's Library to meet our community's increasing demand for youth services. By Summer 2026, this transformative project will expand our existing space by an additional 4,500 square feet, creating a vibrant 7,200-square-foot center dedicated to learning, creativity, and imagination.

The Murrieta Public Library Foundation is actively fundraising to support this vital expansion and invites the community to help bring this vision to life.

About the Expansion

As Murrieta and Riverside County continue to grow, our library is adapting to better serve our thriving youth community. This expansion project directly addresses current space limitations, providing innovative resources designed for the next generation:

• Dedicated Storytime Area: A flexible, 1,320-square-foot space that can be divided into two rooms (660 square feet each), perfectly suited for early literacy activities, storytelling, and educational programming.
• Expanded Children's Library: Directly connected to the Storytime Area, the newly enlarged 7,200-square-foot space will significantly reduce overcrowding and enhance programming capabilities.
• Flexible Learning Spaces: Multi-purpose rooms accommodating up to 100 children simultaneously for storytimes, STEM activities, craft workshops, and other engaging programs.
• Sensory & Toddler Zones: Specially designed, inclusive, and interactive spaces to stimulate creativity, discovery, and early developmental growth for all children.
• Expanded Collection: Thousands of new children's books, interactive storytime backpacks, STEM kits, and modern educational resources to foster dynamic learning experiences.
• Proposed Feature Enhancement -Outdoor Garden: This inviting, shaded 11,000-square-foot outdoor reading garden is ideal for family activities, community gatherings, and educational events.

Project Progress

On June 18, 2024, the Murrieta City Council approved the preliminary design, budget, and funding strategy. The Construction Design Package has entered its second round of plan checks, with the bid package anticipated for release in May 2025. Construction is anticipated to begin in July/August 2025. Keep an eye out for upcoming updates and renderings!

Fundraiser Information

The Murrieta Public Library Foundation is leading the charge to fund this exciting expansion. Every contribution helps us build a space where imagination can thrive.

Want to be part of Murrieta's future? Visit MurrietaLibraryFoundation.org to explore donor recognition opportunities, learn more about the project, and make a tax-deductible donation today.

Together, we can create a welcoming and inspiring library that nurtures young minds for generations to come.

Watch our video to see the vision come to life and learn how your support will help shape the future of the Murrieta Public Library: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14tFAHih54CyANJBt12pMNvFzyDLQT2Du/view?usp=drive_link