Irvine — The City Council on July 22 adopted a resolution establishing new community and library services fees and amended the city's master fee schedule as the city prepares to operate three library branches directly beginning in August and into 2026.

The council voted 7-0 to approve the resolution after a brief presentation from library leadership. The adopted fee changes set replacement charges at the retail cost of items, a $5 processing fee for lost or damaged materials, 15¢ per black-and-white page and 50¢ per color page for public printing and photocopying, and interlibrary loans priced to match the lending institution’s charges (including shipping). Consistent with trends in public libraries, the council also approved a policy not to charge overdue fines.

City officials said the fees are intended to support service continuity and modest cost recovery for items like materials replacement and processing while preserving broad public access. Chris Grama, identified in the staff presentation as director of community and library services, and Julie Zioli, the city librarian, told the council the city will begin full operations at Heritage Park and University Park branches in early August and plans to take over Katie Wheeler Library on Jan. 1, 2026. The presentation noted recent facility upgrades at Heritage Park and University Park — new carpet, fresh paint and updated furniture — and described staff work on barcoding and integrating collections into a new library database.

Grama said the city had applied a five-tier cost-recovery model and classified most library services in Tier 1 (community benefit) with recommended cost recovery ranging from 0–15 percent; that classification supported keeping fines off the schedule. Julie Zioli described pop-up library programs that have maintained service during the transition.

Councilmember Martinez Franco asked whether University Park would remain in the city's portfolio; staff answered that a five-year lease signed in July 2024 allows city operation while the county retains ownership. The council also heard that staff will return Oct. 14 with a master plan and preliminary site options and cost estimates for potential new branches, including a concept studied for Bill Barber Community Park of about 40,000 square feet.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution to establish new community and library services fees and amend the master fee schedule: Approved 7-0.

Why it matters

The vote prepares the city to manage the Irvine Public Library system after a transition from County of Orange management. Fees clarify expectations for patrons and secure modest cost-recovery for replacement and service processing at city-operated branches as staff ready facilities for reopening.

What’s next

Heritage Park and University Park libraries were scheduled to open to full operations on Aug. 4; the Katie Wheeler Library will transfer to city operation Jan. 1, 2026. Staff will present the library master plan and site study on Oct. 14.