The city of Santa Ana is investing more than $46 million in renovating its local libraries and adding new branches to reach more residents.
Santa Ana is home to two public libraries: the Main Library and the Newhope Library. Annually, both branches serve about 125,000 people. The hope, officials say, is that by modernizing and adding new library branches, that number will increase by 25%.
The biggest lift will be renovations and upgrades at the Main Library downtown. Over the next two years, the Main Library’s electrical and plumbing and HVAC systems will be repaired. Plus, the building’s marble exterior will be restored.
Originally built in 1960, the city plans to bring back much of the building’s original design and layout, but it will also add an interactive children’s learning area. The project is estimated to cost about $34 million, with most funding coming from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
The Newhope Library, located in the city’s westside, will also be getting an estimated $5.5 million facelift. The branch will get new reading areas, study spaces, a modernized outdoor patio, updated technology and a new innovation center that will provide STEM learning opportunities.
Completion of the Main Library renovations is expected in 2025, and the Newhope Library is expected to be completed by next summer.
For a city that is home to more than 300,000 residents, two libraries are too few, city leaders said. To address gaps in service, the city is investing $8.8 million to build two additional branches.
“One of the things that I set out to do when I came on board with the city was figure out ways that we could increase our presence throughout the entire community,” Brian Sternberg, Santa Ana’s library services director, said. “The last time the city did this kind of expansion I think would have been in the early- to mid-1970s. So, about 50 years since the city’s done this type of expansion with the libraries. And then over the…
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