Toys, telescopes and bike repair kits: There's a new 'library of things' to check out in Irvine

Irvine will reopen two libraries to the public on Sunday — only now they’ll be managed by the city instead of Orange County.

The Heritage Park and University Park libraries have been closed since May after the city opted to transition from a county-managed library system to a city-run operation.

What’s new?

City librarian Julie Zeoli said that in the last few weeks the libraries have gotten a facelift and some additional cosmetic fixes. Irvine has been working to get the infrastructure in place to get the library system up and running.

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 ”Hopefully, it'll just be a very comfortable and inviting space for residents and they'll be able to see really a transformation in the physical spaces,” she said.

For the first time, Irvine is also offering a “library of things,” where they can check out items like telescopes and bike repair kits.

 ”We're still adding to it and we'll continue to add to it,” Zeoli said.

How we got here

For years, Irvine residents have complained about the library's outdated facilities, despite being one of the largest financial contributors toward the county library system.

Now, with the city taking over, Irvine officials say they'll be able to better serve public needs.

David Lingerfelt, a resident of the Great Park neighborhood in Irvine, supports the city taking control.

“ The thing I'm most excited about is the access to the funding to actually improve our own libraries and to build within our districts,” he said. “That was the main driver for why we left the Orange County Library System.”

Follow the money

The county library system is funded by property taxes from each member city, and Irvine is one of its biggest funders.

For the 2022-23, the city contributed around $17 million from property taxes toward the county library system. But there were contentious debates between the city and county over how those funds should be spent, and especially about which libraries should be updated.

In 2023, the city formally notified the county of their intent to go it alone.

So does this mean the county library system loses money?

Not quite.

Irvine has been debating leaving the county library system since 2012. At that time, they reached a compromise agreement that involved setting aside additional city funds to be used on library services at some point in the future.

However, the city and county could never agree on how that money would be spent.

In the city’s negotiations with the county to exit the library system, they reached an agreement where the county will get to keep those additional funds — which total about $28 million.

What’s next 

Irvine Public Library cards are free and available to California residents with a valid government-issued photo ID.

• The Heritage Park Library Branch reopening celebration runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at 14361 Yale Ave., Irvine.
• The University Park Library Branch event is from 2 to 5 p.m. at 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine.

Irvine is also hosting two events to gather community input  on what residents would like to see in the libraries in the future, including other services and new locations. Those events take place:

• 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the Quail Hill Community Center, 39 Shady Canyon Dr., Irvine 
• 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Deerfield Community Center, 55 Deerwood W., Irvine