Irvine Libraries – Negotiations Status & Future

Current Status of Libraries Negotiation with Orange County Public Library System (OCPL)

On February 28, 2023, the City Council authorized and directed staff to send a letter of intent notifying the County of Orange of the City’s intention to withdraw from OCPL. This action opened formal discussions and negotiations between the City and the County. Recent negotiations have resulted in a proposed plan for Irvine to withdraw from OCPL in order to establish our own Irvine Library System.

While initially set to be discussed at the City Council meeting on July 9, 2024, additional details with the County still need to be resolved and and staff is bringing the updated agreement to the next City Council meeting on July 23, 2024.

Further details of the withdrawal plan can be found in the July 23, 2024 City Council Meeting Agenda, Council Business Item 4.2 here.

Background & History of Irvine Libraries

Library service within the City of Irvine is provided by the OCPL system, a network of 34 branches providing various services to residents throughout Orange County. OCPL is a dependent district, governed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Planning for library services is done on a system-wide basis with the budget approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Residents of Irvine may access any of OCPL’s libraries. Three branches are located within the City: University Park Branch, Katie Wheeler Branch, and Heritage Park Library.

Branch	Square Footage	Year Built	Ownership	Location
Heritage Park	21,000	1988	City-owned, 55-year lease to County	Central Irvine
University Park	11,411	1975	OCPL	South Irvine
Katie Wheeler	11,250	2008	OCPL	North Irvine

OCPL has an advisory board comprised of one representative from each member city and two members of the Board of Supervisors. Councilmember Tammy Kim serves as Irvine’s representative on the OCPL Advisory Board.

Why did the City Enter into Negotiations with OCPL?

For the Fiscal Year 2022–23, Irvine contributed approximately $17 million in property taxes to the County of Orange to provide library services in our community. Of note, in the entire OCPL system, Irvine contributes the highest amount of property tax revenues, and Irvine’s contribution accounts for 28% of OCPL’s total annual property taxes revenue. Further, the libraries operated by OCPL in Irvine account for only 11% of OCPL’s entire library space.

For decades, Irvine has engaged OCPL in substantive discussions regarding the allocation of resources toward local City libraries. After careful consideration and evaluation of the City’s growing population, library needs, and community priorities, the City Council authorized on February 28. 2023, a letter of intent to be sent notifying the County of Irvine’s intention to withdraw from OCPL. This action opened extensive discussions and negotiations over the past year and a half between the City and the County, and recent negotiations have resulted in a plan for Irvine to withdraw from OCPL in order to establish our own Irvine Public Library System.

Details of the withdrawal plan can be found in the July 23, 2024 City Council Meeting Agenda, Council Business Item 4.2 here.

FAQ on Current Negotiations

Will Irvine remain in the OCPL system, or will the City create a City Library system?

Answer: Should the City Council approve the withdrawal plan on July 23, 2024, Irvine will create our own Irvine Library System.

Has the City’s library decision been made, or are negotiations continuing regarding who will provide services for the existing libraries and a future site at the Great Park?

Answer: The City Council will make a decision on July 23, 2024 regarding a City Library System. If the City Council decides to withdraw from the OCPL system, the City will transition into providing services for Irvine’s Heritage Park Library and University Park Library and any future sites would fall under the purview of the City. OCPL will retain rights and interests to the Katie Wheeler facility given that the building is located in a larger County park.

Will the many programs at Irvine libraries continue, and will they remain free to the community?

Answer: With negotiations ongoing, the City has no planned changes to the programs at Irvine libraries.

Will our OCPL cards continue to access the larger offerings of the OCPL system (including physical and digital collections, programming, and services)?

Answer: If the City does decide to pursue its own library system, as part of the transition, Irvine residents will maintain a right to access the items located within the County library system after transitioning to a City-run library operation. Details are yet to be determined.

What will be the role of the Friends of the Library (FOL) and the bookstores if the City withdraws from OCPL?

Answer: The City values and respects the support the FOL organizations provide to Irvine libraries and has no anticipated changes to the role of the FOL/bookstores.

Where can we provide input for future discussions regarding the library?

Answer: You can email LibrariesFeedback@cityofirvine.org.

Proposed Transition Plan Key Dates

Now–March 31, 2025: OCPL will operate Heritage Park Library, University Park Library, and Katie Wheeler Library at current hours of operation with full services.
April 1, 2025–May 15, 2025: OCPL will operate Heritage Park and University Park Libraries at reduced hours with adjusted services as the County works toward vacating the premises.
May 16, 2025–June 30, 2025: Heritage Park and University Park Libraries will be closed; the City will have access to both libraries to facilitate the transition
July 1, 2025: Heritage Park and University Park Libraries will re-open as the first branches of a new city-run Irvine Public Library System; Irvine residents will maintain a right to access items located within the County Library System after transition

Will the City close current libraries?

Answer: In the proposed withdrawal plan, the County would transition Heritage Park Library and University Park Library services to the City as of July 1, 2025. Both Heritage Park and University Park Libraries will be temporarily closed from May 16, 2025 to June 20, 2025 to facilitate the transition from County to City.

The Irvine Katie Wheeler Library is not part of the negotiated agreement as the County will retain rights and interests to the Katie Wheeler facility, given that the building is located in a larger County park facility.

Will the proposed new Great Park Library replace Heritage Park Library?

Answer: No, the proposed new Great Park Library will not replace Heritage Park Library. Pending negotiations with the County and subsequent Irvine City Council considerations, the proposed Great Park Library would serve as a “main” library in addition to existing facilities and services. As part of the Great Park Library feasibility and concept design study, the City will engage with the appropriate OCPL and FOL representatives in an effort to consider best practices and plans for comprehensive library services in Irvine.

Proposed New Library at the Great Park

The proposed new library at the Great Park will serve as the northern gateway into the park at the key intersection of Cadence and Pusan Way. It will be adjacent to the future-planned Veterans Memorial Park and Gardens. The new library provides an excellent opportunity to serve as a gathering place and resource for the community and is envisioned as Irvine’s future central library.

Great Park Library Next Steps:

Staff is working with a consultant to conduct a comprehensive feasibility and concept development study, which will include:
- Initial review and site assessment.
- Community and stakeholder outreach.
- Program and building design options for Great Park Board consideration.
- Cost study of selected option.
Preliminary concepts would be developed and presented within the first three months.
Final reports and option recommendations are pending.