Carlsbad CA— Dove Library will close for final construction on Thursday, April 14, to allow for the remaining renovation work to be finished on the $6.3 million improvement project. The library is scheduled to reopen at the end of June.
Regular library programs and services will continue during Dove’s closure at the Georgina Cole Library, which just reopened after a $5.3 million renovation project, and the Library Learning Center. Some Dove programs have been moved to other community locations. All weekday children’s programs normally held at Dove Library have moved to the meeting room of Alga Norte Community Park through May 31. Online services will continue to be available on the library’s website. Donations and book returns will still be available on-site during the closure.
The full closure of the library comes after it partially closed in February to begin preliminary construction work. Since then, the library has operated as a “temporary library” with limited services offered through Wednesday, April 13.

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“Our ‘temporary library’ was well received during the initial stage of construction,” explained Heather Pizzuto, director of the city’s Library & Cultural Arts Department. “But now it’s time for the final stretch of work, and that requires a full closure for the safety of our patrons.”
Improvements at Dove Library will focus on enhancing the location as a community gathering space, including creating a “living room” feel by adding seating areas for patrons. A new patio and café with expanded food and drink options and a redesigned courtyard will also be part of the renovation.
An emphasis on enhanced technology, WiFi connectivity and power access will make it easier for patrons to use the library as a working, collaborative space. Additional study rooms and a new tech lab will allow the library to continue to serve as a place to learn. A dedicated teen area will also be added, along with a new Friends of the Library bookstore.
The Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, located in the Carlsbad City Library complex, will be remodeled to improve accessibility and enhance visibility of the stage. The auditorium’s video production and other audio-visual equipment will be upgraded to digital technology.
The construction is part of the city’s $11 million investment to improve its two libraries to meet the changing needs of the community in today’s digital age. Approximately $5.3 million was allocated for improvements to Cole Library, which reopened on Feb. 22, and $6.3 million was allocated for Dove Library. Renovation plans were shaped by community input.
The Carlsbad libraries have more than 65,000 monthly visitors and circulate 1.3 million books, DVDs and other materials every year, along with providing a wide range of digital resources. About 85 percent of city residents visit the library in person or online every year and 57 percent use library services on a monthly basis.