News Summary

Irvine has officially launched its new independent public library system, transitioning from the Orange County Public Libraries. The celebrations featured events at the Heritage Park and University Park libraries, including ribbon-cutting ceremonies, family crafts, and library card sign-ups. The new system operates with three branches, including the forthcoming Katie Wheeler Library, set to open in 2026. With over 30,000 new titles and a diverse range of services, the city aims to meet the needs of its growing population. Community involvement is encouraged through upcoming programs and meetings.

Irvine Celebrates Launch of Independent Public Library System

The city of Irvine officially launched its new independent public library system over the weekend, heralding a significant transition from the previous Orange County Public Libraries system. The celebrations took place at two library branches: Heritage Park Library and University Park Library, featuring a variety of events aimed at engaging residents and promoting the new services offered.

The grand openings included ribbon-cutting ceremonies, live entertainment, crafts for families, and library card sign-ups. City officials, including Mayor Larry Agran, spoke about the library system’s potential to better serve the city’s rapidly growing population.

New Library Operations

The new Irvine Public Library system will operate with three branches, two of which are now officially open. The third branch, Katie Wheeler Library, is in the process of transitioning and is expected to open in early 2026. As part of the system’s operational plans, debut hours for the Heritage Park and University Park libraries will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays, starting August 4.

In preparation for the launch, the city has hired over 60 new staff members, including 36 for Heritage Park and 28 for University Park. The goal is to fill a total of 68 positions, with many of the staff members transferring from the Orange County Public Library system.

Library Services and Resources

The city has registered 1,898 new library cards before the opening weekend, demonstrating high community interest. A digital application for library cards is set to be implemented soon, adding convenience for residents. To enhance its offerings, the city invested in over 30,000 new titles in addition to the 167,000 materials transferred from the county system.

The new library system will also feature an array of resources including bestselling novels, multilingual books, ebooks, digital audiobooks, and a unique “Library of Things” collection. This innovative collection allows patrons to check out non-traditional items such as tools, musical instruments, and electronics.

Upcoming Programs and Community Involvement

To engage the community further, over 140 free programs are planned for the fall. These include storytimes for children, hands-on craft sessions for adults, and pop culture events for teenagers, ensuring there are offerings for all ages.

The University Park and Katie Wheeler branches are situated in county-owned buildings that will need to be returned to the county by 2030. To secure ongoing service in Irvine, city officials have indicated a commitment to finding new locations for these branches on city-owned land within the next five years, with plans to potentially operate as many as six library branches in the future, including a branch at the Great Park.

Future Meetings

To ensure that residents are informed and involved in the development of the library system, two community meetings will be held this week. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, at the Quail Hill Community Center at 6 p.m., followed by a second meeting on Thursday, August 7, at the Deerfield Community Center, also at 6 p.m. These meetings will provide opportunities for community members to discuss future library services and locations.

This launch marks a new chapter for Irvine as it establishes its independent library system aimed at addressing the diverse needs of its growing population.

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Additional Resources

• OC Register: Irvine Launches New City-Run Public Library System
• LA Times: Come for a Book, Leave with Bongos
• OC Register: Irvine to Hire Dozens for New Library Department
• Wikipedia: Public Library
• OC Register: Irvine Hires First City Librarian
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Library

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