The history of the San Diego Library at Woodbury University is intertwined with the satellite campus’ hands-on approach to design. It was originally conceived as a collection of 3,000 volumes donated from the main library in Burbank to be housed at nearby Mesa College. The agreement between Woodbury University and Mesa College gave students at both institutions reciprocal borrowing privileges, an agreement that still exists today. In 2001, the San Diego campus moved to a new location at 8th and C, and staff offices were converted to an onsite library. The 3,000 volumes housed at Mesa College were transferred to the onsite library and the collection grew to 5,000 volumes. In 2008, the campus moved to its current location, a faculty-designed renovated warehouse in the Barrio Logan neighborhood that includes a 1,300-square foot library. The library was student run until 2010 when the first professional librarian, Cathryn (Ziefle) Copper was hired. In 2011, a design build studio led by Christopher Puzio adapted the library space, which now includes a circulation desk, materials library, group study area, and film editing station. A major contribution the San Diego Library makes to the community is through the Library South Series that launched in Fall 2013. The first event was a discussion panel on art and architecture criticism with panelists Christopher Hawthorne (Los Angeles Times), Leah Ollman (Los Angeles Times, Art in America), and Robert Pincus (University of San Diego).
The San Diego Library continues to pursue initiatives that shape it into a fully-functioning, boutique-style library, in coordination with the main library at Woodbury University. Today the library collection is approaching 7,000 volumes and grows by about 250 volumes each year. Its resources and programming maintain a focus on architecture, landscape architecture, and real estate development.
(San Diego Library, Barrio Logan, circa 2010)