Marking a new chapter for the Irvine Public Library system, the Katie Wheeler branch is now open for business.
The library, located in Irvine Ranch Historic Park, wrapped up a months-long renovation and celebrated the milestone over the weekend with a grand opening bookended by festivities for guests who showed up to peruse the branch and its updated amenities.
Community and Library Services Director Chris Slama starts the Grand Opening ceremony for the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Guest explore the rows of book on the first floor of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, during the Grand Opening.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
A couple of boys reach for a the top shelf at the book store at the basement of the Katie Wheeler Public Library, March 7, 2026, during the Grand Opening in Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Seven-year-old Earl Tseng of Irvine looks for a book on the library computer with the help of his mother, Jenny Tseng, during the Grand Opening of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Polly Musch of Santa Ana, who came to the Grand Opening of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, looks over some of the historical photographs of the library and surrounding properties on display. “I knew I wanted to actually see the building because we’ve been driving by for years,” said Musch. “It’s really lovely. It’s just nice to see it’s renovated and now it’ll be used.” (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
The Katie Wheeler Public Library’s Grand Opening on March 7, 2026.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Guest visit the children’s book section as they climb the stairs to the second floor of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, during their Grand Opening. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Yanni Wang of Irvine reads to her 22-month-old son, Nolan Meng, a book called Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld, as they relax at a table on the second floor of the children’s book section of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, during the Grand Opening in Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Jialu (George) Wu of Irvine reads a book called Pete the Cat to his 6-year-old son, Ella Wu, on the second floor of the children’s book section of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, during the Grand Opening in Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Nancy Lee of Irvine looks over a few children’s books to check out with her daughter, Joanie Lee, 4, during the Grand Opening of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, in Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Ryan McIntire of Irvine looks over a book with his son, Liam McIntire, 9, during the Wheeler Public Library Grand Opening on March 7, 2026, in Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Wendy Lee of Irvine, left, is helped by Joyce, Library Associate for the Katie Wheeler Public Library, at the check out desk during the Grand Opening on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Cutting the ribbon for the Grand opening of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026 in Irvine are, from left, Irvine Councilmember Kathleen Treseder, Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco, Councilmember Melinda Liu, Mayor Larry Agran, Vice Mayor James Mai, Councilmember William Go, Helene Wheeler Huyler, James Irvine Swinden, and James M. Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Cutting the ribbon for the Grand opening of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026 in Irvine are, from left, Irvine Councilmember Kathleen Treseder, Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco, Councilmember Melinda Liu, Mayor Larry Agran, Vice Mayor James Mai, Councilmember William Go, Helene Wheeler Huyler, James Irvine Swinden, and James M. Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Guest walk past the front desk as they climb the stairs to the second floor to visit the children’s book section of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, during their Grand Opening. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
City of Irvine Mayor Larry Agran welcomes everyone to the Wheeler Public Library Grand Opening on March 7, 2026, in Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Computers assist kids and adults in finding the books they are looking for at the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, in Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
People arrive for the Grand Opening of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
xxxx during the Wheeler Public Library Grand Opening on March 7, 2026, in Irvine.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
People arrive for the Grand Opening of the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Phoebe Lee, 6, of Irvine, draws at the outdoor arts & crafts table during the Wheeler Public Library Grand Opening on March 7, 2026, in Irvine. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Palm trees line the walkway leading up to the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026, in Irvine as they celebrate their grand opening. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
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Community and Library Services Director Chris Slama starts the Grand Opening ceremony for the Katie Wheeler Public Library on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Katie Wheeler is a third branch for the Irvine Public Library system, a city-run network established last year after Irvine’s break from the Orange County Public Libraries system. A main branch for the independent library system is planned at the Great Park.
The Katie Wheeler branch, dedicated as a historical landmark in 2008, is a modern reconstruction of the 19th-century home, known as the “Irvine Mansion,” that was owned and lived in by James Irvine I.
James H. Irvine, his son, inherited the home, and it was there in 1920 that his first grandchild, a girl named Katie, was born.
But a fire severely damaged the mansion, and the iconic home was demolished in the 1960s. A faithful reconstruction of the original home was built in its place, later becoming the Katie Wheeler library, taking the name of the granddaughter of James. H. Irvine.
The city already had the Heritage Park and the University Park branches open since taking over the county system.
The Katie Wheeler branch at 13109 Old Myford Road will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and weekends.
