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,…
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