Celebration marks College-Rolando Library’s 20th Anniversary

Local residents and dignitaries celebrated the College-Rolando Library’s twentieth anniversary celebration last month.

The event marks 20 years since the modernized branch replaced the outdated College Heights location, which served the community for five decades on College Avenue. 

Local nonprofit Little Fish Comic Book Studio and others provided face painting and craft activities for youngsters. Live jazz was provided by Gilbert Castellanos featuring The Young Lions. There was also a special anniversary cake and other refreshments from local businesses, as well as giveaways, which added to the festive atmosphere. 

Speakers at the event included Friends of the College-Rolando Library President Jan Hitzman, Library Director Misty Jones, Congressmember Sara Jacobs, and District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, among others. 

Each acknowledged the vital civic role the library plays in the neighborhood.

Library staff members were thanked for their many important efforts to connect community members with collection materials and provide a variety of programs and services to meet their needs.

The 6600 Montezuma Road location is one of the busiest in the city’s library system, serving the needs of a diverse, often underserved population.

The branch offers books, DVDs, and music to borrow, free Wi-Fi, computer use, and access to online resources, and ongoing programs and services for toddlers, preschoolers, middle and high schoolers, and adults of all ages.

Proclamations from the U.S. House of Representatives and the San Diego City Council, as well as individual special commendations, were presented to staff.

The outgoing branch manager and former youth services librarian, Jessica Buck, was acknowledged for three years of caring and capable service at the location as she prepared to transition to another job within the system. The library also welcomed new branch manager Karina Balinda.

A monthly calendar of activities includes programming for young children, such as story times and a LEGO Play Lab, an updated learning center, and homework support for elementary school children and teens, book clubs for adults, separate quiet reading areas, an outdoor patio, and a multi-purpose meeting room used by the College Area Community Council and many other neighborhood groups.