About Us

The Imperial Beach Branch of the San Diego County Library system is located at 810 Imperial Beach Blvd.., at the south end of Veterans Park. The Friends of the Imperial Beach Branch Library, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, normally meets at 10:30 AM on the second Tuesday of the month at the library. The library phone number is 619-424-6981.

1. Encouraging community support of the Library.

2. Raising funds to be used in purchasing materials for the branch.

3. Providing assistance in Library programs.

4. Publicizing the resources of the Library.

5. Championing Library causes at the local and state level.

6. Acting as volunteers at the Library.

7. Managing endowments and gifts to the Friends of the Imperial Beach Branch Library.

1910 - David Disinger operates general store in 900 block of First St. which includes post office and library.

1956 - July 18, City of Imperial Beach incorporated.

1958 - July 24, city library opens at 730 Delaware.

1967 - library moved to new facility at 810 Imperial Beach Blvd.

1978 - library expanded to 5000 sqft.

1987 - ownership changes from city to county.

2005 - major interior remodeling.

2008 - July 11, new librarian, June Engel, comes to IB from Corona

2009 - New RFID checkout system

2010 - April, county Board of Supervisors establish Imperial Beach Library Capitol project.

2010 - New library Flickr account

2012 - Conceptual plans for new library revealed.

2013 - San Diego County library named best library system in the nation

2013 - New library feasibility study funded

2013 - New library approved by County Board of Supervisors

2014 - July, Board of Supervisors authorizes construction.

2014 - August, Design-Build Request for Statement of Qualifications issued.

2014 - late 2014, Request for Proposals released to top three qualified contractors.

2015 - 100th birthday of San Diego County Library

2015 - May, contract awarded to T. B. Penick, contractor, Jeff Katz, architect for $8,500,000.

2016 - January 20, Ground breaking ceremony for new library, old library demolished.

2017 - January 2, pipe outside library breaks flooding interior, new opening date in April

2017 - April 11, doors open for new library.

2017 - April 15, 1130, Grand Opening, bookstore opens

2001 - Friends of the Imperial Beach Branch Library incorporated, Bill Zidbeck is first president.

2002 - Nov. 16, first booksale.

2004 - June 10, IRS sends letter granting FOIBL 501(c)(3) status.

2008 - New membership brochure

2010 - Library discussions about expansion begin

2011 - FOIBL provides initial $1000 for annual library programs to replace funding dropped by county

2012 - FOIBL provides initial $1200 for annual library programs

2013 - FOIBL provides initial $1265 for annual library programs

2013 - San Diego County library named best library system in nation

2014 - FOIBL provides initial $2000 for annual library programs

2015 - FOIBL provides initial $1500 for library programs

2015 - imperialbeachfriendsofthelibrary.org website established

2016 - New FOL Bookstore operations and staffing plans underway

2017 - Bookstore volunteers prepare and train for opening