Our March Doodly Doos: Art Class for Kids was a vibrant success! In celebration of Women's History Month, our young neighborhood artists explored the revolutionary techniques of Georgia O'Keeffe.

The students learned the delicate art of mixing colors and creating various tints while crafting art inspired by O’Keeffe’s iconic style. It was wonderful to see the library's community room filled with such creativity and color.

These programs, which foster connection and creativity in our community, are made possible by the dedicated work of the Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library (SRFOL). As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we exist to support the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library through volunteer services, special events, and essential financial assistance for library acquisitions and community activities.

If you enjoyed these programs, we invite you to play an active role in keeping them alive. Please consider becoming a member of the Friends of the Library. Your membership directly sustains the events, resources, and services that make our library a vibrant "treasure hunt" for new topics and community engagement.

Construction Update

Following a lengthy series of repetitive month-by-month delays, we have received "official" word regarding the library's major maintenance projects. We want to ensure our patrons have the most current information as of March 28th.

The Big Picture:

A start date of May 12, 2026 has been scheduled for the upcoming closure of the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center for a complete roof and HVAC system replacement.

• Last Day Open: Saturday, May 9, 2026.
• Anticipated Construction Start: Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
• Estimated Duration: Approximately 6 to 8 months (reopening winter 2026 or early 2027).

Important Access Note: Once closed, the library will be completely inaccessible to the public and staff. No library materials (books, DVDs, etc.) will be removed prior to closure, and no materials can be delivered to or removed from the library during the construction period. Meeting rooms will also be unavailable.

Managing Your Library Holds

• Default Pickup Location: During the closure, all holds will be sent to the Mira Mesa Library by default.
• Choosing a Different Branch: You may change your pickup preference by logging into your account at sandiego.gov/public-library.

Parking Lot Expansion

Work on the lower parking lot is reportedly scheduled to resume concurrently on May 12. The City indicates the expanded lot will be completed to coincide with the library's reopening.



Stay Informed

To ensure that you’re in the loop on the latest library info, email [president@srfol.org] to subscribe to the SRFOL monthly e-newsletter and occasional important updates! Also, please bookmark our renovation page for the latest updates: 👉 Visit: srfol.org/renovation.htm

Grace’s Book Nook

Open Tuesday–Saturday. Stop by for great buys on books, DVDs, and more!

• Pop-Up Sale: Saturday, April 11, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Expanded inventory! This will be the last second Saturday sale before the upcoming closure and one of the last opportunities to stock up for the long “drought” ahead.
• Special Pre-Closure Sale, Saturday, May 2, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Bargains galore! Expanded inventory and sales space! Mark your calendar now. Don’t miss this “last chance” event! And to thank valued book sale patrons, bring in your Yellow Bag and fill it for only $10 from May 1^st until the closure.

Children’s Programs

We are thrilled to offer a vibrant lineup of youth programming this month! All arts and crafts materials are provided courtesy of the Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library (SRFOL).

Registration Note: While all are welcome, registration is encouraged for highlighted events to ensure your spot. You can register at sandiego.librarymarket.com. For full details and the most up-to-date schedule, please visit www.srfol.org.

Weekly Favorites

• Pajama Storytime: Every Tuesday, 6:45–7:15 pm (Children’s Area). Join Ms. Sarah for a cozy evening of singing, reading, and playing. Pajamas or comfy clothes are encouraged but optional!

• Morning Storytime: Every Wednesday, 10–10:30 am (Community Room). Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, Ms. Sarah leads a joyful session of stories and songs to spark a love of reading.

• Bilingual Storytime: Saturdays (except the first Saturday of the month), 10–10:30 am (Community Room). Join us for a fun, interactive exploration of language and culture with stories, songs, and activities in English/Spanish and English/Arabic.

• IDEA Lab: Your space to imagine, design, and create! Explore our 3-D Printers (supplies sponsored by SRFOL), Glowforge laser cutter, and Cameo Silhouette 4. Tuesdays 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Fridays 1 pm to 3 pm.

• Intro to programming with Scratch: Friday 4:15–5:30 PM - Seminar Room

• Cube Quest: Problem-Solving in Action: Every Saturday, 11 am–12 pm (Seminar Room). Designed for ages 7+, this student-led STEAM series uses the Rubik’s Cube and strategic games to teach perseverance and logical reasoning. Note: This is a recurring series; registration for this event includes all future occurrences.

• RoboReady: Intro to Robotics & 3D Design: Every Saturday, 1–3 pm (Seminar Room). Step into the world of engineering! Participants will explore computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D modeling fundamentals. Note: This is a recurring series; registration for this event includes all future occurrences. 

Special Events

• Doodly Doos: Art Class for Kids: Saturday, April 4, 11:00 am–12:30 pm (Community Room). This class will focus on the life and techniques of the American sculptor Alexander Calder. After a brief history of the artist and a look at some of his works, young artists will create a standing wire mobile inspired by Calder's style. Participants will learn about balance and structure while exploring a different medium of contemporary art!



• Drastic Plastic by EcoLogik Institute: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 4 pm to 5 pm. Plastic is everywhere, impacting our lives and the world around us. But what can we do to help solve this environmental problem? Come to our hands-on lesson and art activity where we’ll explore the effects of plastics on our environment and discuss what we can all do to help mitigate plastic pollution. Registration is strongly encouraged.

• 3D Printing by EcoLogik Institute: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 4 pm to 5 pm. Ever wanted to learn how to 3D print? Discover how to create a model of some of the animals we find in the Cabrillo tidepools. Recommended for 5th grade and up! Registration is strongly encouraged.

Open Beading: Every Wednesday, 10 am–12 pm in the Seminar Room. Beaders of all skill levels are welcome to bring their own supplies and join this creative group.

Mahjong Fun: Every Thursday, 10 am–12 pm in the Community Room. Offered in collaboration with Scripps Ranch 50 Plus, this program provides game sets for seniors and enthusiasts to enjoy.

Scripps-Mesa Garden Club: Tuesday, April 28, 5:30–7:30 pm in the Community Room. This monthly gathering features guest speakers on various gardening topics. The group also organizes tours of members' gardens and outings to local nurseries and farms.

We've had a busy and diverse month of programming at the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library! Here are some highlights from our recent events:

• Our Ballerina Storytime brought the magic of dance to the library, combining literacy with the grace of ballet for our youngest patrons.

• Cultural Connections: Branch Manager Zeina Guoin led a beautiful Ramadan Bilingual Storytime, sharing stories and traditions that celebrate the diversity of our community.



• Engineering Wonders: Future architects put their skills to the test in our "Maker Space" workshop, where they learned how to build structurally sound bridges using only popsicle sticks.

The Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library (SRFOL) invites you to our monthly book discussion. This month, we are diving into A Death in Diamonds by S. J. Bennett.

• Meeting Time: Thursday, April 23, 12:30–2:00 pm.

• Location: Seminar Room.

• Details: New members are always welcome to join the conversation! Feel free to bring a brown bag lunch if you’d like.



• Next Month: Our May selection will be An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Copies of our upcoming book selections are available for pick-up at the library circulation desk. We look forward to seeing you there!

This month's recommendation comes from Dana Sanchez, Branch Manager, La Jolla/Riford Branch Library

Dana recommends: Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen

Nuclear War: A Scenario is a gripping and unsettling exploration of the devastating consequences of nuclear conflict. Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen's meticulous research and attention to detail make this scenario feel uncomfortably plausible, leaving the reader with a dreaded sense of unease and urgency both during and after reading. The writing is straightforward and accessible, making it easy for non-experts to understand the complexities of nuclear war. This anxiety-inducing scenario, which feels all too real, serves as...”. To read Dana’s full review, check out the March 8th, 2026 issue of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Reviewed Book

“Nuclear War: A Scenario,” by Annie Jacobsen

Playlist



“A House of Dynamite,” a Netflix film directed by Kathryn Bigelow

“Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety,” by Adam Higginbotham

“Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster,” by Adam Higginbotham

“The 2020 Commission Report on the North Korean Nuclear Attacks Against the United States: A Speculative Novel,” by Jeffrey Lewis

Recommended Reads is an ongoing partnership with The San Diego Union-Tribune. Every other week, Behind the Desk goes in-depth on the books we recommend. Read the Sunday Paper to see our most recent reviews or view our past archive on the SDPL website: sandiego.gov/sdplreviews

🏛️ SAN DIEGO LIBRARY FOUNDATION UPDATE

The San Diego Public Library Foundation has released its Spring 2026 Impact Update. As we prepare for our own building’s improvements, the Foundation continues its vital work advocating for library funding and system-wide enhancements.



To learn more about how the Foundation supports literacy and library equity across San Diego, please read the latest report: 👉 Visit: libraryfoundationsd.org/about/impact-updates