Public libraries play a vital role by providing free access to information, fostering literacy, supporting education and lifelong learning, and serving as community hubs for various activities and resources.
Last year, the Irvine City Council unanimously voted to transition library services from the Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL) and, instead, establish its own Irvine Public Library System.
The Council’s decision came down to finances and services offered to the City’s residents. Irvine taxpayers contribute roughly $17 million to OCPL annually. However, the libraries operated by OCPL in Irvine receive only $5 million annually in services. (Decades ago, the City established its own Irvine Police Department because of a similar funding imbalance.)…