The Katie Wheeler Library reopened this week as part of an ongoing effort by Irvine officials to transition their libraries from county to city control. 

The library, which is a part of Irvine Ranch Historic Park, was closed for three months since the transition officially kicked off in January, operating on a three-year lease from the County of Orange. 

At a reopening ceremony on Saturday, Mayor Larry Agran said the city needs a library system because Irvine had grown to roughly 350,000 people.

“It’s time for us to have our own library system.”

[Read: Irvine Residents to Get a Say on Future Library System]

The effort began in July 2025 and the Katie Wheeler Library will be the third to join this new system along with Heritage Park and University Park Libraries.

This library addition is a particularly important one for Irvine due to the rich local history the building carries.

An informational sign stands outside the newly reopened Katie Wheeler Library on Saturday, March 7. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC

Originally a ranch house constructed in 1876, this site came into control of James Irvine II who would double the size of the house for the Irvine family, after the family moved there in 1906 following the San Francisco earthquake.

His daughter, Katie Wheeler, the namesake for the library was born in the ranch house in 1920 and would grow up there, eventually becoming one of the longest serving members on the board of directors of the James Irvine Foundation.

After an electrical fire in 1965 which damaged the structure, the house was set for demolition, which would come three years later in 1968. However this wasn’t the end of the home’s history as detailed architectural drawings were taken, allowing the site to be rebuilt in 2008 and opened up as a library under the county public library system. 

A crowd enters the Katie Wheeler Library for the grand opening after the restoration on Saturday, March 7. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC

After council members reopened the doors on Saturday, crowds poured back in to take a look at the library.

One mother, Ari Cruz, 31, who was attending with her two daughters said they were regular visitors of the library and were happy to see it was reopened.

Ari Cruz, 31 reads to her 10 month old daughter, Mariah Cruz, at the grand reopening of the Katie Wheeler Library on Saturday, March 7. 2026. Credit: NORBERTO SANTANA, Voice of OC

Katie Wheeler’s daughter, Helene Wheeler Huyler traveled from Maine to see the reopened location.

Daughter of Katie Wheeler, Helene Wheeler Huyler attends the grand reopening of the Katie Wheeler Library after the renovations on Saturday, March 7. 2026. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA, Voice of OC

“I think they did an excellent job, it’s a friendly space and people seem to enjoy coming here,” said Wheeler Huyler, adding “You’re never alone if you have a book.”