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On July 23, 2023, the Irvine City Council voted unanimously to withdraw from the Orange County Public Library (OCPL) system. In August of 2024 the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved Irvine’s exit from the system. Buried in this agreement was a statement that OCPL will shut down the Katie Wheeler Library (KWL) by July 1, 2025.

A replica of the historic Irvine family ranch house, “Katie Wheeler Branch Library,” officially opened on February 23, 2008. Its opening was made possible by development agreements and a $1 million grant from the James Irvine Foundation. Kathryn Anita ‘Katie’ Lillard was born in this house on March 2, 1920; and her mother, Kathryn, died shortly after childbirth. Katie was raised on the ranch by her grandfather, James Harvey Irvine. Katie married Charles Wheeler in 1941. Charles ran the cattle operation on the ranch and Katie served on the Irvine foundation for 40+ years. As a tribute to Katie, the Foundation asked that the rebuilt Irvine family home be named in her honor. Besides books and media, KWL houses precious Irvine family photographs and other artifacts, generously donated by Joan Irvine Smith through the Irvine Museum. Over the years some of these pictures have been removed from public display and stored away in the library basement, to make space for more “work stations”.

Katie Wheeler is a beloved, iconic library that serves the city of Irvine, Tustin and people near and far, many who come not just for books or programs, but  for the beautiful grounds with an historic past. Over its 16-year history, the library has hosted numerous events, such as book club meetings, philosophy discussions, writers’ groups, a gardening series, a new home-buyer workshops, poetry readings, and holiday tree lighting ceremonies, to name just a few. The librarians have also fielded request from patrons to have photos taken both inside the library and outside, of special occasions like engagements, weddings, and proms. There was even a request to hold a memorial service in the community room. This library is indeed unique in the OCPL system.

 What were the factors that were considered before making the decision to shut down KWL? The library should be used for the public good, as it was intended to do and not as offices for Parks/County employees. The neighboring communities deserve easy access to everything a branch library has to offer, without waiting years for a new, more distant branch to be built.

Let us come together and let the “powers that be” know how special Katie Wheeler is, as both a library and an historic Irvine family home.  Let’s #SaveKatieWheelerLibrary.