The Chula Vista Public Library is dedicated to building connections, promoting literacy, and engaging the community. At all three Chula Vista Library locations you can find access to information resources, programs for all ages, and of course our collection of books, digital media, and other materials.

The South Chula Vista Branch Library (155,000 volumes), the Civic Center Branch Library (185,000 volumes) and the Otay Ranch Branch Library (17,000 volumes) offer library services in English and Spanish.

Learn more about our upcoming new library for the UniverCity project in the Millenia master-planned community.

The Library also oversees the Cultural Arts program of the City of Chula Vista.

Library Documents

Board of Library Trustees
The Board of Library Trustees works with the Library Director; represents the needs of the community and advises the City Council on issues pertinent to the City's libraries; reviews library policies; provides feedback on library activities and plans.

History of the Library

1888	Chula Vista, once part of the Mexican Land Grant El Rancho de la Nacion, and owned by the Santa Fe Railway and Land Company, was platted as a community.
1891	Concerned citizens formed the  Chula Vista Library Association.
1911	Chula Vista incorporated as a city.
1917	The development of the lemon industry and the growth in population inspired community leaders to apply for a grant of $10,000 from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to the build a new library.
1920s	The library was the centerpiece of civic life through the Great Depression.
1955	Population and economic growth again spurred the building of a new library.
1976	A combination of Federal Revenue Sharing and city financing resulted in the building of a new bicentennial library on the site of the former F Street Elementary School.
1995	The state of the art South Chula Vista branch was built under the direction of renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorretta.
2011	Eastlake Public Library closed as CVPL prepares to open the Otay Ranch Library in a the Otay Ranch Shopping Center.
2012	Otay Ranch Branch Library opens.
2015	“The Hub” community space opens at the Otay Ranch Branch Library.

The promise made to the Carnegie Corporation in the 20th Century continues to be fulfilled in the 21st Century with plans to meet the community's future informational needs through intellectual access, electronic access, and future new libraries.

Board of Library Trustees | Cultural Arts Commission
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