Irvine leaders have selected Julie Zeoli as the city’s first librarian.
Zeoli will lead Irvine’s new library services division, helping the city create and manage its own library system after leaving the county’s.
As the assistant library director for the city of Yorba Linda, Zeoli played a key role in developing and opening the Yorba Linda Public Library in 2020.
“I am deeply honored to serve as Irvine’s first city librarian,” Zeoli said in a statement. “Public libraries are truly the anchor of a community and contribute to essential public programs and services. I look forward to working with the talented team here, developing a world-class library system, and fostering ideas and experiences that will enrich the lives of Irvine residents.”
Currently, library service within Irvine is provided by the Orange County Public Library system, a network of 34 branches including three locations in Irvine: the Heritage Park, University Park and the Katie Wheeler libraries.
But earlier this year, the Irvine City Council and Orange County officials agreed to the transition of library services in Irvine from the county to the city. City staff said that by running its own library system, Irvine could “immediately double” its annual investment into library services.
Irvine Public Libraries, a new city department, will open on July 1.
“Establishing a public library system has been a long-awaited community priority and will allow us to expand our exceptional services in Irvine,” Irvine City Manager Oliver Chi said in a statement. “I’m excited to have Julie leading the development of our own library system. I can’t wait to see all she does to help us develop the best library operation that exists anywhere in the country.”
Irvine officials say plans are underway to improve and expand library facilities across Irvine, including adding new library locations and offering new services that meet the needs of the fast-growing city.
As part of the transition from county to city operations, city officials previously said they expect the Heritage Park and University Park libraries to close from mid-May through June. And, they said the Katie Wheeler Library would close permanently.
Irvine officials have said they plan to find a new home for the University Park library on city-owned land within five years. In the meantime, they will lease the library, which councilmembers have called “rundown” and “antiquated,” from the county.
Irvine also is planning to expand and modernize the Heritage Park location and to build a new branch in the Great Park.
“Initial signs are pointing to having one main library,” Chris Slama, director of community services, said last summer, “and up to four to six branches throughout the city.”
Since 2006, Zeoli has held various roles at the city of Yorba Linda, including teen services librarian, adult services manager and assistant library director. Zeoli holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University.
