Library room · Rancho La Costa
Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium
A 215-seat fixed-seating auditorium at the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane with a stage, 7.1 surround sound, projection, eight wireless microphones and a Steinway piano. Rents at $100 per hour (Individual; $90 for Carlsbad residents after the 10% resident discount, computed; nonprofits $50, businesses $150) with a 2-hour minimum, during library hours only. No food or uncovered drinks are allowed, so it suits a recital, show or lecture rather than a party with cake.
Published prices
| Fee | Price |
|---|---|
| Auditorium rental, IndividualLibrary rental page 'Individual $100' per hour; 2-hour minimum including set-up and tear-down; library hours only, no Sundays. Individual rate 'applies to a personal rental ... (i.e., a birthday party)' (2024 instructions). | $100 / hr |
| Auditorium rental, Carlsbad resident individualcomputed: Individual rate less the library's 10% resident discount (renter must live in Carlsbad) | $90 / hr |
| Auditorium rental, nonprofitLibrary rental page 'Nonprofit $50'; nonprofit documentation required; 10% off for Carlsbad-based nonprofits (computed $45). | $50 / hr |
| Auditorium rental, business/commercialLibrary rental page 'Business/Commercial $150'; 15% discount if the business makes no profit from the rental; 10% resident discount for Carlsbad-based businesses. | $150 / hr |
| A/V technician (required)No charge 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday (library page); $20 per hour billed for events Monday-Thursday after 5 p.m. and Saturday (2024 instructions), charged for the whole reservation. | $20 / hr |
| Library projector (no outside projectors allowed)Library rental page: the library's projector is a $20 flat fee. | $20 |
| Extra Steinway piano tuningPiano is tuned quarterly; extra tunings $150. | $150 |
| Cancellation fee (less than two weeks before)Library rental page; changes after the first change $10 each. | $25 |
| Cleaning/damage feeAssessed only if the room needs cleaning or repair beyond normal wear; invoice due within 30 days (policy p.4). No deposit published. | Not published |
| Liability insurance (when applicable)Policy p.2: CGL naming the City 'when applicable', amount set by the City's risk manager; $2M liquor liability if alcohol is served (Council Policy 28). | Not published |
Bookable areas (1)
- Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium: 215 fixed theater seats (4 wheelchair spaces), stage 29.5' x 13.5'-20.5', A/V technician required; book on CarlsbadConnect 2+ weeks ahead within the booking windows
At a glance
- Capacity
- 215 guests
- Setting
- Indoor
- Hours
- Rentals only during library hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; no rentals on Sundays (the library website lists Sunday opening hours of 1-5 p.m., but the room cannot be rented then); no before- or after-hours rentals.
- Parking
- Not listed
- Run by
- City of Carlsbad Library & Cultural Arts
Amenities
- Restrooms · not listed
- Playground · not listed
- Picnic tables (no)
- BBQ grills (no)
- Sports fields (no)
- Beach access (no)
- Dogs allowed (no)
- Accessible (ADA)
Rules
- Alcohol
- Only beer, wine and champagne, and only if the rental agreement specifically allows alcohol; applicant must be 21+; selling alcohol needs an ABC Daily On-Sale License and liquor liability coverage (Library policy p.6, p.4; Council Policy 28). Drinks in the auditorium must be covered with spill-proof lids.
- Bounce houses
- N/A (indoor fixed-seat auditorium)
- Amplified sound
- Built-in 7.1 surround sound with up to eight wireless microphones; four wireless microphones come with the room fee, and extra microphones, added sound reinforcement or recording cost extra (amounts not published; ask for a quote). An A/V technician is required. Groups must control noise that could disturb other library activities (policy p.2).
- Canopies
- N/A (indoor)
- Other rules
- No food or uncovered drinks in the auditorium (covered spill-proof drinks OK). Apply on CarlsbadConnect at least two weeks ahead (30+ days preferred) within the booking windows: Carlsbad residents can book from Sept. 1 for January-June and from April 1 for July-December; nonresidents from Sept. 15 and April 15. First-time requests select the 'Individual' rate; the Individual rate 'applies to a personal rental ... (i.e., a birthday party)'. Applicant must be 18+ (21+ if alcohol is requested). One adult (21+) per 10 minors at all times. Payment due 30 days before the event (within 3 business days if booked under 30 days out). Reservation time must include all set-up and tear-down; no early entrance. Up to four dates per month per group. Cancellations less than two weeks out cost $25; $10 per change after the first change; changes in writing to media-assist.office@carlsbadca.gov. No deposit is published; cleaning or damage beyond normal wear is invoiced. No outside projectors (library projector $20). 10% resident discount (renter must live or be based in Carlsbad); 15% discount for businesses that don't profit from the rental. Liability insurance 'when applicable', amount set by the City's risk manager. Staff respond within 3-5 business days. Phone 442-339-2055.
How to book
Apply on CarlsbadConnect (library rentals) at least two weeks ahead (30+ days preferred), within the library's booking windows; questions: 442-339-2055. No rentals outside library hours or on Sundays; a $25 fee applies to cancel less than two weeks out.
Location
1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92011 (Carlsbad City Library, off El Camino Real) · Pin from the street address (OpenStreetMap). Get directions
Nearby
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Prices change; confirm with the venue before you book. Something out of date? Tell us.
- carlsbadca.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/72/7400
- library.carlsbadca.gov/services/rental-facilities
- library.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/4393/637459018472370000
- library.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/5445/638738220998370000
- ca-carlsbad.civicrec.com/CA/carlsbad-ca/catalog
Abbreviations: CGL: commercial general liability insurance · ABC: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control