Irvine Libraries Reopen Under City Management

Dania Yamani, Sports Editor

Heritage Park Library, now officially under the Irvine Public Library system, will offer various activities for community members to participate in, as part of an effort to create a hub for learning and connection.

The Heritage Park and University Park libraries officially reopened after a three month closure due to a transition in ownership from the County of Orange to the City of Irvine on Aug. 3.

These two libraries are now part of the Irvine Public Library (IPL) system, with the exception of the Katie Wheeler Library, which will be transferred to the city in early 2026, according to the City of Irvine. The new vision for the Irvine Public Libraries is to provide higher-quality resources, improved infrastructure and a community space.

“I used to go there a lot,” junior Irene Qi said. “Heritage Park Library didn’t have a whole lot of space for things, and they closed really early. I’m pretty excited to see a bigger library with more tables, because it was hard to get places to study.”

Aimed at serving Irvine’s 300,000-plus residents and surrounding communities, the new system will require an Irvine Public Library card, which can be obtained through either the Heritage Park or University Park branches. Additionally, the IPL system will save Irvine $12 million in taxes, with the existing libraries set to be expanded and modernized, according to Irvine Community News.

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About the Contributor

Dania Yamani, Staff Writer

Dania Yamani is a staff writer for her first year on the Portola Pilot. When she’s not calculating worst-case scenario grades on Aeries before a test, you can find Dania blasting Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams or waking up at 4:00 a.m. to catch a Real Madrid game. She can’t wait to learn about journalism and get more involved with the Portola High community!