Meet Our Board

Peter Tsu

Vice Treasurer

Join Our Team

Lucy Lu

Founder & President

Chirag Mehta

Vice President

Adam Hill

Treasurer

Jennifer Curry

Secretary

Libraries Need Friends

Friends of the Irvine Main Library is a completely grassroot efforts by parents, community members, and kids (!) who got tired of waiting and want to see a new library built before their inner children grow up.

Right now, the project is planned for construction after 2036, but we believe Irvine deserves a world-class library much sooner. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of confusion and missing information about what’s really happening and how residents can help move things forward. So let’s all be informed and engaged around the future of Irvine Main Library at Great Park.

By signing up, you’ll receive occasional updates about:

  • Upcoming City Council meetings and decisions related to the library

  • Project updates as new plans and studies are released

  • Simple ways to make your voice heard and support progress

This is a community-led, non-partisan effort to ensure residents have the facts and a seat at the table.

Our Missions and Principles

Build it, they will come

We celebrate bold ideas, courageous undertakings, and the magic that happens when everyone work together.

Make the Library Accessible

We believe the library should be available to everyone, with programs and support making library visits more inclusive.

Librarians at the Helm

The Library’s needs are at the heart of the Friends’ mission. Serving the entire Irvine community at large.

World-class library for the world-class city

We know it’s possible if we all work together!

It Started with a Townhall

2025

  • Sept 15: Townhall at Beacon Clubhouse with Councilmembers William Go and Melinda Lui, The Great Park Director Luis Estevez, and City Librarian Julie Zeoli.  70+ GP residents showed up to ask them questions about the plan for the GP Library.

  • Oct 14: City Council Meeting: City Librarian presented the Feasibility Study conducted over the summer.  11 members of the public, including 6 from the Great Park Neighborhood spoke about the importance and the urgent need for a Main Library in the Great Park

  • Oct 15: IrvineMainLibraryFOL.org website went LIVE! 

  • Oct 28: City Council Meeting: City Council voted 7-0 to adopt a resolution to formally incorporate and expeditiously build a central or main library branch in the Northern sector of the Great Park Framework Plan and explore funding options outside of those already allocated in Phase 1. This is a major first step in the right direction! Now, let’s continue to build on this momentum and make the library a reality.

  • Nov 6: Planning Commission reviewed the proposal for 1,814 new home. Many residents spoke during the meeting and many more had sent in emails to the commission and the City Council.

    • (1) Planning Commission heard everyone’s concerns and recommended school board consultation and more community benefits for residents,

    • (2) school board has heard complaints and has said they are working to increase resources at all the schools,

    • (3) new development will be zoned for Woodbridge high school, limiting impact to existing schools,

    • (4) City Council and City is highly aware of resident pushback, and

    • (5) 5P said they are discussing community benefits in real time.

  • Nov 2025: Negotiations are ongoing with the developer and City Council is involved in closed door sessions.  The City is currently advancing funds to start planning for the main library.

    • We sent a letter to the IUSD Board (and copied City Council) asking them to address resident concerns on re-zoning, overcrowding, school sizes, and lack of resources.  Will post when we get a response.

    • For now, the goal is to get to a better agreement and resolve concerns around the schools.

  • Nov 20, 2025: Five Point will commit $15 million for a Main Library at Great Park. This money should be used for “architectural design, environmental study, and future fundraising outreach efforts”.

  • Dec 9, 2025: City Council Meeting: Your emails, calls, and presence at City Council meetings made a difference! FivePoint will provide $15 million for the planning and design of a new library in Great Park. $5M from the CFD homeowners tax, $10M from the developer.