Irvine officials outline library expansion options as public presses for Great Park main branch

Irvine officials told the City Council on Oct. 14 that the newly launched Irvine Public Library system has seen high early use and that a multi‑year plan will be needed to expand branches across the city.

The city opened Heritage Park and University Park branches Aug. 4 and expects to transition the Katie Wheeler Library from County of Orange management on Jan. 1, 2026, city staff said. City Librarian Julie Zioli told the council that, since reopening, staff has issued more than 20,000 library cards, circulated over 100,000 physical items and conducted more than 170 programs, with seating often at or over capacity during peak hours.

The feasibility study staff presented estimates Irvine needs about 170,000 square feet of library space citywide, up from roughly 40,000 now. Consultants identified four potential future locations: a 6‑acre site in the northern Orchards/Orchard Hills area (concept ~28,000 sq ft); a northern Great Park site that could accommodate an approximate 80,000‑sq‑ft flagship branch; expansion of the city‑owned Heritage Park branch from ~20,000 to ~28,000 sq ft; and a 7‑acre site at Bill Barber Memorial Park for an approximately 42,000‑sq‑ft branch. Construction cost ranges shown to council were $1,300–$1,500 per square foot (2025 dollars) for building shell costs, with operating costs varying by size and service model.

City staff stressed the study is a range of options, not a final plan. A separate strategic planning process has already opened to gather resident priorities for services, programs and collections; staff reported more than 600 survey responses and multiple community sessions. Staff said the next steps are to finish the community strategic plan and then launch a library master plan — a 12–18 month process that will examine locations, phasing and financing options.

Residents and local advocates urged the council to speed a main library at the Great Park and to explore interim leasing options to relieve crowded neighborhood branches. Several speakers described heavy use at Heritage Park and University Park, cited the difficulty some residents have traveling to those sites, and urged the council to consider a mix of large flagship and smaller, village‑style branches. Others urged creation of a Friends group and a foundation to help raise capital and operations funding. Several speakers also pushed staff and council to consider neighborhood equity and convenient access for students and seniors.

Mayor and council members asked staff to return with additional analysis and said they would expect a progress report within a few months. Staff emphasized that no funding has been identified yet for major expansion and that the master plan will explore financing and phasing options before a formal recommendation for construction.

The council took no immediate vote on site selection or financing during the meeting; staff said they will incorporate community input and the feasibility work into the master plan and that subsequent specific budget and project requests would return to the council for action.