College-Rolando

As its name suggests, the College-Rolando public library branch sits between College Area to the north, a region named in reference to San Diego State University, and Rolando to the south, a primarily residential area that borders La Mesa and Lemon Grove. Like many libraries in the Mid-City area, the College-Rolando is located in a fairly condescend area that receives much more traffic than does an average neighborhood in San Diego. Located only a little over a mile from the heart of the SDSU, the area around the library features a lot of apartment complexes, retail stores, and small restaurants.

The College-Rolando branch was built in 2005 to replace the old College Heights branch, and is one of the larger branch libraries in the system at 15,000 square feet. The layout of the library is interesting in that the different components are divided and not really visible to each other. As with all public libraries, you're funneled towards the circulation desk as you enter the building. But beyond that point, each different part of the library, like the children's section, popular media, computer area, community rooms, and main stacks/reading room, are all in different wings of the library that all connect to the center lobby and the circulation desk. I like the organization of the branch, and it certainly gives it a feel that is distinct from any of the other branches I've visited so far.