The City of Irvine is transitioning Library services from the County of Orange to a new Irvine Public Library system, allowing for a more personalized, local approach to library services. The Heritage Park and University Park Libraries will open as the first Irvine Public Library branches on Monday, August 4. Katie Wheeler Library will be transitioned from a County facility to an Irvine Public Library in early 2026.
The Child Resource Center (CRC) is a member-based lending library for families and early childhood education professionals. The CRC is open Monday through Thursday, from 12 to 7 p.m. through July 31, 2025. Beginning August 4 Irvine Public Library patrons may check out materials, many of which were formerly included in the CRC lending library, through the Irvine Public Libraries.
Existing CRC members may continue to check out the available materials from the CRC lending library, but no new memberships will be issued. We encourage you to learn more about the new Irvine Public Libraries and get your new IPL card. Please, click here to learn more.
What is the Lending Library?
The CRC Lending Library features tools to support every area of children's development from birth through school age, including:
- Children's books to extend early learning
- Child development, parenting, activity, and curriculum books
- Family child care business reference materials
- Educational toys: math manipulatives, music and movement materials, emergent literacy resources, science materials
- Lamination and Ellison die cut machines. Click here to view list of available die cuts.
How to Reserve Materials for Pick Up
Search
- Members can search and reserve items through an online library catalog here.
- Detailed instructions on reserving materials are available here.
- Existing members may reserve items. Due to the impending transition to the Irvine Public Libraries system no new memberships will be issued. Please, click here to learn more about the Irvine Public Libraries.
Pick-Up
- Members will receive an email notification letting them know the day their items are ready.
- Drive to the Irvine Child Resource Center on your assigned pick-up day.
- Items will be available inside the Child Resource Center, hours are Monday through Thursday, from 12-7 p.m.
Returns
- Library materials may be returned in the CRC lobby, 12 to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday
- All items must be returned and fees paid prior to checking out new items to the member
- All items must be returned and fees paid prior to checking out new items to the member