Join us in celebrating Cecilia from Villa Park, our Employee of the Month! 

Cecilia is a kind and reliable employee who brings positivity and consistency to her workplace. She has been with OC Public Libraries for over 20 years, having worked most recently at the Heritage Park branch before joining the Villa Park team. She has continued to grow and expand her talents and knowledge, demonstrating dedication to both her professional development and the success of OCPL. Cecilia is a team player who is continually open to trying new things. Both the staff and the public deeply appreciate her hard work and upbeat approach to library services. 

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (May 25, 2026) – OC Public Libraries is excited to announce Lunch at the Library for summer 2026, providing free meals to children and teens 18 and under at select branch locations. This initiative provides free nutritious meals and alongside engaging enrichment programming including a children’s book author series, craft activities, STEM programs, teen workforce skills workshops, and more. 

No registration is required, and meals are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring that young readers can enjoy a summer filled with books, creativity, and community support.

Lunch at the Library is available at:

Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

1855 Park Avenue

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

June 15 - July 10

Monday - Friday

Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days

June 25 - Clifford

July 9 – Rainbow Fish

El Toro Library

24672 Raymond Way

Lake Forest, CA 92630

June 15 - August 7

Monday - Friday

Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days

June 17 - Elephant and Piggie

August 7 – Esteban the Green Crayon

Garden Grove Chapman Library

9182 Chapman Avenue

Garden Grove, CA 92841

June 1 - July 16

Monday - Thursday

Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days

June 10 - Paddington Bear

July 15 – Froggy

San Juan Capistrano Library

31495 El Camino Real

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

June 15 - August 7

Monday - Friday

Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days

June 30 – Cookie Mouse

July 21 – Red Crayon

Tustin Library

345 E. Main Street

Tustin, CA 92780

June 1 – July 31

Monday - Friday

Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days

June 1 – Elephant and Piggie              

July 30 – Curious George

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The Summer Food Service Program is a program of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, administered in California by the California Department of Education. Lunch at the Library is a project of the California State Library, supported with funds from the State of California.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL)

OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning.

More information at https://ocpl.org/

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 30, 2026) – OC Public Libraries is pleased to commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month throughout May. This month long celebration honors the rich cultural heritage, contributions, and stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We invite the community to join us for a series of engaging events, including author talks and a music appreciation series.

Events during Asian American and Pacific Islander Month 2026: 

Author Events

Music Appreciation Series

Join us for a special music appreciation series! Music lovers of all ages are invited to visit the library and enjoy a performance by world-renowned Chinese zither musician, Bei Bei, and her traditional Chinese ensemble. 

No registration required, all ages welcome. This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging.

Thursday May 7th at 5:00pm

Foothill Ranch Library

27002 Cabriole Way

Foothill Ranch, CA 92610

Saturday May 9th at 5:00pm

Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

1855 Park Avenue

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Saturday, May 23rd at 5:00pm

Fountain Valley Library

17635 Los Alamos Street

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Thursday, May 28th at 4:00pm

San Clemente Library

242 Avenida Del Mar

San Clemente, CA 92672

Saturday, May 30th at 3:30pm

Cypress Library

5331 Orange Avenue

Cypress, CA 90630

OC Public Libraries (OCPL)

OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning.

More information at https://ocpl.org/

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 30, 2026) – OC Public Libraries is pleased to announce One County, One Book, a community reading program centered around the book James by Percival Everett. This critically acclaimed bestselling novel won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction as well as the 2024 National Book Award.

Percival Everett is a Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Southern California and one of the most acclaimed contemporary American writers. His latest novel James, is the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction award winner. The novel is a reimagining of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, told from the perspective of the enslaved character Jim. It is lauded as an action-packed, insightful look at agency, literacy, and racial supremacy. 

This community reading program unites our Orange County communities through a shared reading experience. Together, we will explore and discuss one book’s themes, fostering dialogue, building community, and promoting a love of reading.  From April through June 2026, book clubs throughout Orange County are reading and discussing James. We invite the community to continue the conversation at this event. 

OC Public Libraries (OCPL)

OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning.

More information at https://ocpl.org/

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (March 26, 2026) – OC Public Libraries is pleased to announce One County, One Book, a community reading program centered around the book James by author Percival Everett. Everett's acclaimed 2024 novel James, a reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, won the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction and the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. 

Through One County, One Book, OC Public Libraries strives to unite our Orange County communities around a shared reading experience. From April through June, readers of all ages are invited to celebrate James through an exciting lineup of author talks, engaging cultural presentations, and lively book club discussions, all culminating in a speaking engagement with Percival Everett on Thursday, May 7 at 6:30 pm at the Laguna Hills Community Center. 

One County, One Book is presented by OC Public Libraries in partnership with the Orange County Office on Aging. This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL)

OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (March 25, 2026) – OC Public Libraries is excited to announce Earth Day 2026, offering a chance for the community to join in celebrating the library’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. This event provides an opportunity for everyone to come together and share ways to protect our environment. In partnership with OC Waste & Recycling, OC Public Libraries is hosting special programs and activities designed to inspire eco-friendly practices, build connections, and play a part in protecting our planet. 

OC Waste & Recycling Getting’ Wiggly with Composting Presentations: 

Film Screenings

Join OC Public Libraries in celebrating Earth Month with an engaging film screening series. Each screening features an impactful film followed by insights from subject experts and an audience discussion. These events combine entertainment and education to spark meaningful conversations about our planet and our future.

Storytimes for Earth Day 2026: 

For more programs and information about Earth Day 2026 visit https://ocpl.org/earthday

OC Public Libraries (OCPL)

OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (March 2, 2026) – OC Public Libraries is excited to introduce Regulation Station: All Aboard for Sensory Play, a new initiative designed to support neurodiverse children and their families through inclusive library programming.

This program series includes storytimes for children ages 2–8, sensory play experiences, and author talks for parents that support families with children on the autism spectrum. As part of the launch, OC Public Libraries will host an author talk featuring Katie Rose Guest Pryal, J.D., Ph.D., a nationally recognized voice in neurodiversity and mental health. Her book, Your Kid Belongs Here, provides a compassionate and comprehensive guide for families raising neurodivergent children and reinforces the initiative’s focus on empowerment and belonging.

Limited complimentary books available, while supplies last. No registration required. Early arrival suggested.

This program is funded by support from the Samueli Foundation.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL)

OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning.

More information at https://ocpl.org/regulation-station

Congratulations Employee of the Month Jessica!
Please join us in celebrating Jessica from San Clemente, our Employee of the Month! Jessica is exceptional when it comes to serving our patrons. She treats everyone with respect and goes above and beyond to meet their needs, building especially wonderful connections with our youngest visitors. Whether she’s leading Bilingual Storytime or dancing along with the littles during Happy Feet: Music and Movement, Jessica creates a safe, joyful space where children can learn, grow, and express themselves. Her creativity and initiative truly shine from planning engaging programs like tortilla making with the Charlie Cart to bringing families together through fun-filled bingo nights. Jessica is also a fantastic team player, always ready to pitch in, support her colleagues, and share her knowledge. With an eye for innovation, she has improved displays, reorganized cluttered areas, and even revamped the branch calendar to make it more user-friendly and accessible for patrons. 

We thank her for her dedication, creativity, and positive energy. 

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (February 3, 2026) – OC Public Libraries is proud to honor Black History Month this February with a special author event featuring Jason Reynolds in conversation with Nic Stone. This event invites the community to reflect on the rich cultural heritage, achievements, and contributions of African Americans through an evening of powerful storytelling and dialogue with two of today’s most influential voices in literature.

Limited complimentary books available, while supplies last. Admission does not guarantee a free copy. No registration required. Early arrival suggested.

This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL)

OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning.

More information at https://ocpl.org/