Part of the San Diego County Library system, this branch moved into its new, larger building in June 2008. It boasts 10,000 square feet of space, with 14 Internet computers and two children's computers. The Friends of the La Mesa Library have a bookstore near the entrance.
More than 60,000 titles are circulated each month, says the library, one of the busiest branches in the county system. Classes and workshops are common, listed on a busy monthly calendar.
Children's programs are popular, with weekly story times attracting 30 to 50 kids. A teen book club is recorded and archived as podcasts. The library is proud of a program called Text Message Reference, where patrons can text the library at 619-928-2251 and ask reference questions.
On Oct. 3, 2010, library hours were expanded on Sunday to five hours from the previous four, thanks to the library being the most productive circulator in the system per square foot.