A new Menifee library is opening — part of a long-awaited, $50-million project to open more branches for residents.
The new facility, down the street from Mt. San Jacinto College at 28798 La Piedra Road, replaces two temporary branches hosted for years at Paloma Valley and Heritage High schools, Riverside County Library spokeswoman Khylia Chapin said. Both branches closed temporarily during the coronavirus pandemic, but offered curbside service and limited visits.
The modern, 20,000-square-foot library will have a grand opening Saturday, July 17. It includes private study rooms, public computers, a community meeting room for events, youth/teen spaces and a children’s storytime room, a Riverside County Library System news release states. Its collection has 35,000 materials. Curbside service will continue during the pandemic, Chapin said.
The county also has a library branch in the Sun City neighborhood of Menifee, at 26982 Cherry Hills Blvd.
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A grand opening of the new Menifee Library, seen Thursday, July 15, 2021, is planned for Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 10 a.m. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Ashley Horton, branch manager of the new Menifee Library is seen Thursday, July, 15, 2021, as officials prepare for the Saturday, July 17, 2021, grand opening. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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The new Menifee Library will have its grand opening Saturday, July 17, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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The new Menifee Library has more than 35,000 materials in its collection. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Architecture photographer Stephen Whalen is seen in the new Menifee Library on Thursday, July, 15, 2021. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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The new Menifee Library, seen Thursday, July, 15, 2021, has warm wood accents, glass and modern amenities. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Wheatfield Park is seen from the new Menifee Library on Thursday, July, 15, 2021. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Hanging leaves are set against soaring ceilings, towering glass windows and a nature-themed wall at the new Menifee Library. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Ashley Horton, branch manager, is seen Thursday, July, 15, 2021, at the new Menifee Library near Mt. San Jacinto College’s Menifee Valley Campus. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Architecture photographers Stephen Whalen, foreground, and Don Boomer prepare books to be camera ready at the new Menifee Library on Thursday, July, 15, 2021. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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The new Menifee Library is seen Thursday, July, 15, 2021. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Hanging leaves are seen at the new Menifee Library on Thursday, July 15, 2021. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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The new Menifee Library, seen Thursday, July, 15, 2021, will open to the public Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 10 a.m. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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A resident showed up Thursday, July, 15, 2021, but the new Menifee Library wasn’t open yet. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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The new Menifee Library, which opens Saturday, July 17, 2021, is seen Thursday, July, 15, 2021. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
In the release, Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Hewitt said the library is “state of the art and will be the center of so many community groups for years to come.”
Mayor Bill Zimmerman said in the release that the facility will be a “lifeline to the world and all the information in it.”
The county also built new library branches in Desert Hot Springs, which opened last month, and in French Valley, which will have its grand opening Saturday, July 31, officials said.
The grand opening in Menifee on Saturday, July 17, will include family activities such as a virtual-reality experience for teens, arts and crafts, and preschool story time. Library cards will be issued between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
IF YOU GO
What: The grand opening of the new Menifee library, including an opening ceremony, a ribbon-cutting and children’s activities.
When: Saturday, July 17, 10 a.m.
Where: 28798 La Piedra Road, Menifee
Menifee Library hours: Monday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Closed Sundays.
-on July 16, 2021 at 09:57AM by Allyson Escobar
Living Inland Marketing 