Future Planning
Your Ideas. Our Next Chapter.
Irvine Public Library is here. With new collections, diverse digital resources, and activities for all ages, our story has just started. Learn more about upcoming library events and services by subscribing to our eNewletter, "Off the Shelf."
Key Milestones
Transition
In July 2024, the City of Irvine transitioned library operations from the Orange County Public Library (OCPL) system to establish a City-run library system. This decision allows Irvine to tailor library services to better meet the needs of residents and expand programming, collections, and services, while considering future opportunities for library expansion.
In August 2025, the City of Irvine opened its first two branches under City management.
Feasibility Study
In April 2025, the Irvine City Council instructed staff to conduct a feasibility study to identify possible sites for future library locations and validate target numbers and sizes for branches and a central library, as well as high-level anticipated construction and operating costs.
In June and August 2025, City staff and consultants conducted eight community meetings to introduce this planning effort and incorporate input gathered at events. The resulting study was presented to the City Council at the October 14 meeting. The study presents a set of recommendations based on analysis, rather than a final plan.
Listen and view the October 14 presentation (Presentations, Item 2.3)
This study considered specific criteria in determining potential sites for future libraries, with the goal of:
- Identifying available sites on City-owned land that would result in there being a library location within a two-mile radius of home for the majority of Irvine residents.
- For each candidate site, consider the impact on existing uses of the site (park activities, etc.), transportation corridors, and relation to residential neighborhoods.
- Ensuring each candidate site is feasible for this use, with sufficient space for building, parking, and access routes.
Target Sites Presented at June Meetings
Please note, this is a preliminary assessment. The Irvine City Council has not approved plans to pursue libraries at these locations at this time.
- District 1: Irvine Ranch Conservancy land at Orchard Hills and Portola Parkway (proposed to become City land under a memorandum of understanding first presented at the May 13 City Council meeting)
- District 2: Great Park, northern sector. (See a previous feasibility study on a library in this location, completed in 2023)
- District 3: Heritage Park (the City owns the current library building, and plans are being considered for renovation as part of the Heritage Park Master Plan. See upcoming public input opportunities here.)
- District 4: A suitable candidate site has not yet been determined.
- District 5/6: Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park
These libraries would provide space for larger collections, expanded programming areas, meeting rooms, study spaces, makerspaces, local history exhibits, art galleries, Friends of the Library bookstores, and other amenities.
To see more details about each candidate site and to view complete information presented during community meetings, please watch the June video recap and the August video recap. For a condensed version of the full presentation, please view the presentation.
Strategic Planning
From September–November 2025, City staff conducted an online survey and three community input sessions to gather community feedback on the types of collections, programs, services, and spaces library users would like to see in its libraries. This information, combined with research and analysis, will help set priorities for the Irvine Public Library’s 2026–29 Strategic Plan. The final plan will be available in spring 2026.
Why is the City of Irvine Engaging in Library Planning Efforts?
Irvine residents have been underserved by the City's three small library locations for many years. Of the three libraries, University Park and Katie Wheeler are in County-owned buildings. Leases for these facilities are set to expire by 2030, requiring Irvine to identify options for replacement locations as well as new sites for additional branches. Now that library management has been transferred from Orange County to the City of Irvine, the City has the opportunity to establish a world-class public library system. The first step in this process is understanding community needs, which will inform future collections, programs, services, and locations. Along with community input, planning processes will include research and analysis of best practices, trends, data, and other relevant information to ensure Irvine ends up with a library system that best serves the community.
What's Next?
Libraries are not just buildings. Our libraries and staff are innovative and flexible in ensuring that services and collections reach the people who need them. Next steps include conducting a Library Master Plan Study, which will begin in 2026.
Sign up for our eNewsletter to ensure you are notified of how to participate in future planning efforts and other library services.
Pending the results of these planning efforts, the City Council may request additional studies and will schedule discussions at future meetings before moving into the design or construction phase for new buildings.
