Zayn Theriault, 2, checks out a computer with his mother, Sydney Travis, during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Taslyn Ware checks out the books during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Aislinn Jimeno, 1, plays with a green scarf as she sits with her grandmother, Alicia Martinez, at story time during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ethan Kordich, 5, looks over the book collection during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Johnny Vazquez, 8, and his father, Carlos Vasquez, check out a book during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children’s Librarian Theresa Olah leads story time during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors to the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library check out the remodeled library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Yeci Du helps her daughter, Estella Hong, 2, look through a Lego book during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Library officials and children celebrate the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People check out the books during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Maggie Clifford, 4, read a book during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Daniela Molina looks over the DVD collection during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New county librarian Samantha Smith speaks at the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two years for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bennett Wallace, 2, fist bumps Pete the Cat during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Zayn Theriault, 2, checks out a computer with his mother, Sydney Travis, during the reopening of the Aliso Viejo Branch of the Orange County Public Library in Aliso Viejo, CA, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The building was closed for almost two year for physical repairs and upgrades. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“The tenant improvement at the Aliso Viejo Library delivers a refreshed, modernized library designed for today’s community,” Danilo Serranilla, spokesperson for the county system, said in an email. “The interior has been reimagined with flexible, comfortable spaces that support learning and engagement. Updates include improved study areas, an enhanced teen space, a redesigned children’s area that encourages early learning, and a revitalized program room with upgraded acoustics and presentation features.”
There have also been upgrades to its heating and air conditioning systems, the installation of new lighting that is more sustainable, new wiring, security upgrades and changes to make it more accessible, he said.
The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Infrastructure grant contributed $2.4 million toward the project.
On Wednesday morning, families who helped celebrate the reopening packed the new children’s area for a storytime, and visitors settled into new reading areas.
“We rebuilt Aliso Viejo Library to last,” Fifth District OC Supervisor Katrina Foley said in a statement. “When we began renovations, our team quickly discovered we needed to make deeper, long-term upgrades to ensure this space can serve our community well into the future.”
