Laguna Woods public library finally gets a home of its own

Since 2003, the city of Laguna Woods has had a branch of the Orange County Public Libraries operating from behind a 9-foot counter inside City Hall. Last Saturday, Jan. 27, the city finally celebrated the opening of its very own, newly constructed, 3,400-square-foot library building.

A project in the works since roughly 2013, it comes with the most recent books and audio material, the latest in technology including seven computers and Wi-Fi, an activity room, and services such as curbside book delivery and access to Amazon books. There’s even a spacious outdoor plaza.

More than 150 people, from seniors to families with young children, came to the library’s grand opening Saturday, according to City Manager Christopher Macon’s count.

Local dignitaries showed up too: Mayor Noel Hatch, Mayor Pro Tem Shari Horne and City Council members Cynthia Conners, Annie McCary and Carol Moore. Also on hand were Assembly members Cottie Petrie-Norris and Diane Dixon, OC Supervisor Katrina Foley and representatives of Congresswoman Young Kim.

Orange County Librarian Julie Quillman describes the OC library system’s mission as “open doors, free access and community.”

“This means that the system will cover curated rotating collections of materials, 1.7 million items, catering to a wide variety of interests, and continue to expand services to meet the needs of library patrons,” Quillman said.

Holding up three ropes at the ribbon cutting and tying them together, Hatch said they symbolize the partnership between the city of Laguna Woods, Orange County and the county library system.

“Those partners created the library that was a countertop,” he said. “Then something magical happened. It became one of the most popular destinations, used and even overused.”

In 2013, the number of checked-out items at that countertop totaled 996, according to City Clerk Yolie Trippy. In 2023, that number jumped to 21,790.

The City Council initially approached Petrie-Norris, who represented Laguna Woods from 2018-2022, about finding a more substantial home for the library, Hatch recalled, and she was able to obtain half a million dollars from the 2021-22 state budget for a new library.

“My joy is to be here and to have gotten the ball rolling,” Petrie-Norris said Saturday. “We know the power of the libraries and the power we have to make a difference with 1.7 million items available to the public overnight. This is going to be a vibrant hub for the community, a tremendous resource for generations to come.”

However, half a million dollars wasn’t enough to cover the reported $3 million cost of the new library.

The federal American Rescue Plan Act, which authorized the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, contributed funding to the library as did the City of Laguna Woods General Fund.

In addition, local businesses, clubs and individuals kicked in $50,000. Donors are honored with a Founders Wall at the library.

Altogether there were 200 donors, many from the Korean community, said Village resident Pearl Lee, whose husband, Young Lee, served on the city’s Civic Fund Committee.

“Young Lee was in charge of raising funds among the Korean community in Laguna Woods Village and had a very enthusiastic support from the Korean community,” Pearl Lee said.

Surveying the new facility, Village resident Trisha Black noted its compact size.

“I was surprised by the building’s lack of physical space, but that’s more than being made up for by the big number of services they offer,” she said.

Laguna Woods Village Librarian Eileen Ordway sees the new county library as an added benefit for patrons of the Village Library.

“We purchase books and DVDs that match the interests of the residents who use our library,” she said. “However, there are plenty of items that we cannot afford to offer, and that’s why having the public libraries as a backup is so important.”

Still, the Village Library offers benefits for residents that the county library does not, Ordway said. For one, with fewer patrons, the wait time for reserved books is much shorter at the Village Library than at a county library.

Then there’s the reading area, where residents use computers, read newspapers and magazines, and work on jigsaw puzzles. The Village Library also has extensive collections of large-print books, DVDs and audiobooks, plus paperbacks and puzzles that residents can take home on the honor system, Ordway said.

“I don’t think that the new public library will be able to match these benefits,” she said.

The Laguna Woods branch of the Orange County Public Libraries system is just outside the City Hall building at 24264 El Toro Rd. It is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.