Construction on the new $11.4 million Fallbrook library has taken large strides, and members of the community have been able to take part in the process.

According to Friends of the Fallbrook Library member Jerri Patchett, "Hundreds of locals turned out [on February 6] at the Art Campus to participate in the creation of their new library."

"Renowned tile artist Betsy Schulz and Friends of the Fallbrook Library volunteers assisted children, parents and grandparents in preparing small creative tiles that will be part of the background for the Donor Mural," said Patchett.

The art piece consists of various tile pieces that have been painted or textured by participants. Participants were even allowed to bring in artifacts to contribute to the artwork.

Construction on the building overall has been on schedule.

According to Jose Aponte, San Diego County library director, excavation and grading have been completed at the new library site, and plumbing rough-ins (supply, waste, fire, sprinkler and main) have been installed. Grade beams and footings have also been completed, and a cast is in place for a wall along the west side of the building.

Within the next two weeks concrete will be poured for the Reading Garden, Visual Garden, and Poets’ Patio straight wall, said Aponte, and cement for the Poets’ Patio radius wall will be poured on March 15, weather permitting. Concrete for the main slab of the building is scheduled to be placed on March 10, which is the date for structural steel to go up. Completion for structural steel is scheduled for April 5.

"Fallbrook’s library has a singular signature," said Aponte. "It has an artistic statement and an aesthetic [component] that cannot be diminished."

Coordination with artists for various art projects that will be integrated into the library’s construction continues to progress. Michael Stutz is constructing an artistic gate for the Great Room; Chris Pardell is constructing the reading garden trellis; Peter Mitten is constructing the visual garden gate; Janes Hubbell is constructing the Poets’ Patio gate; Karen Cunagin is constructing a soft sculpture; Schulz is constructing the reading garden wall; and Michael O’Brien is constructing a possible entryway table or fireplace hood.

Construction of the library is estimated to be completed on schedule and within budget by the end of the year, said Aponte.

Even though the library is located temporarily in a retail storefront on Main, it has been bustling, even though currently it is the smallest library in the county’s circulation.

"In January, the Fallbrook Library has moved 35,000 materials in a space that is 35 percent [the size] of their original building," said Aponte. "That places Fallbrook’s library as the seventh busiest library out of 33. That is more materials than moved in Santee or Rancho San Diego’s libraries, which are much larger."

Community members will have another chance to be a part of the library’s art projects within the next few months. For more information on the Friends of Fallbrook Library, to be a part of the community art project, or learn how you can make a donation to benefit the library, visit http://fallbrookfriends.tripod.com.