Last summer, the Irvine City Council voted to transition library services from the Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL) and, instead, establish our own Irvine Public Library System.
The Council’s decision came down to finances and services offered to the City’s residents. Irvine taxpayers currently contribute about $17 million to OCPL annually. However, the libraries operated by OCPL in Irvine receive about $5 million in services. (Decades ago, the City established its own Irvine Police Department because of a similar funding imbalance.)
By establishing its own public library system, the City will save millions of taxpayer dollars; existing libraries will be modernized; and two new libraries will be built in Irvine. The City has stated its commitment to continuing the free programs that Irvine residents count on each week. And, Irvine residents will maintain a right to access the items located within the County library system after the transition to a City-run library system.
Over the next few months, the City will host a series of community meetings to share information regarding the transition process. These meetings will provide residents with an opportunity to provide input on the future of Irvine’s library system to help ensure library services meet the needs and desires of our local community.
The first meeting will be held on Thursday (January 30th) at 6pm at the Quail Hill Community Center (39 Shady Canyon Drive).
To learn more about the transition of library services, click here.
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