Ventura County Library says Port Hueneme branch nearing reopening; new regional librarian to be based locally

Ventura County Library Deputy Director Ned Branch updated the Port Hueneme City Council on Feb. 4 about reconstruction and remodeling work at the Port Hueneme branch, saying repairs from a prior closure are nearly finished and that the branch will reopen in spring.

Nut graf: Branch thanked city staff for permitting support on the remodeling and said the library replacement work — including sprinkler, ceiling, flooring and painting — is almost complete; he also announced the county’s appointment of a new regional librarian to be stationed at the Port Hueneme location.

Branch said crews have replaced the sprinkler system, the ceiling and flooring, and painting is complete; bathrooms were expected to be finished by the end of the week of Feb. 4. He told council that demolition on an interior remodel (converting the former children’s area into an innovation lab) had begun and that the library would plan a spring grand reopening in coordination with the city manager. "By the end of the week, the bathrooms will be done. So we are looking at getting pretty close to re‑opening the library," Branch said.

Branch also announced that Anne Hoja, currently manager of the Oak Park branch, will assume duties as the new regional librarian for the library system’s East Region, headquartered in Port Hueneme, expected in March to assist with the reopening.

Ending: The council and staff welcomed the update and Branch’s offer to coordinate the grand reopening; no formal action was required. The library update was received as part of the public‑comment period.