Last August, the City of Irvine celebrated the official opening of its new City-run public library system, with more than 1,200 residents in attendance.
Under the previous library system, Irvine taxpayers were contributing roughly $17 million annually to the Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL). However, the libraries operated by OCPL in Irvine were receiving only $5 million annually in services, with Irvine residents being underserved by the City’s three small libraries. The transition to Irvine’s own public library system has allowed the City to begin expanding and modernizing existing branches; plan for new branches in town; tailor library services to better meet the needs of the City’s residents; and expand programming, collections, and services.
The new City-run library system continues to provide the free programs Irvine residents count on each week while expanding services to meet the unique needs of our local community.
Back in August, the first two libraries to open under the new City-run system were Heritage Park Library (located at 14361 Yale Avenue in Northwood) and University Park Library (located at 4512 Sandburg Way in South Irvine).
The City will celebrate the reopening of the historic Katie Wheeler Library — located at 13109 Old Myford Road in West Irvine — on March 7th.
The entire Irvine community is invited to a special event featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, lawn games, hands-on activity stations, and the harmonies of a barbershop quartet. Guests will also have the chance to explore refreshed spaces that honor the library’s legacy and discover new amenities and programs for all ages.
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