Laguna Hills, Calif. (May 1, 2025) – OC Public Libraries is proud to present bestselling author, R.L. Stine. Renowned as one of the greatest children’s horror authors, R.L. Stine has captivated generations with his iconic Goosebumps and Fear Street series. The Goosebumps series turned R.L. Stine into a worldwide publishing celebrity, and the Goosebumps TV series was the number one children’s show in America for three years. 

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.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 24, 2025) – 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, cooking classes, and a music appreciation series.

Events during Asian American and Pacific Islander Month 2025: 

Author Events

Cooking Classes and Music Appreciation Series

               Music Appreciation Series: Chinese Zither

Monday, May 5th at 5:00pm

Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library

12700 Montecito Road

Seal Beach, CA 90740

Music Appreciation Series: Chinese Zither 

Tuesday, May 6th at 5:30pm

Rancho Santa Margarita Library

30902 La Promesa

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Music Appreciation Series: Chinese Zither 

Wednesday, May 7th at 5:00pm

Westminster Library

8180 13th Street

Westminster, CA 92683

Music Appreciation Series: Chinese Zither 

Wednesday, May 12th at 11:00am

Brea Library

1 Civic Center Circle

Brea, CA 92821

Kate’s Japanese Kitchen: Cooking Classes

Monday May 12th at 4pm-6pm

Foothill Ranch Library

27002 Cabriole Way

Foothill Ranch, CA 92610

Music Appreciation Series: Chinese Zither 

Wednesday May 14th at 5:00pm

Costa Mesa-Mesa Verde Library

2969 Mesa Verde Drive

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Kate’s Japanese Kitchen: Cooking Classes

Monday May 19th at 4pm-6pm

Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library

12700 Montecito Road

Seal Beach, CA 90740

Kate’s Japanese Kitchen: Cooking Classes

Monday May 27th at 4pm-6pm

Westminster Library

8180 13th Street

Westminster, CA 92683

For more information about our Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month events visit https://ocpl.org/aapi-heritage-month

Congratulations employee of the month Stephanie!

We are excited to recognize Stephanie as our Employee of the Month! In addition to expertly leading her busy branch, Stephanie consistently demonstrates what it means to be a true team player. She is unfailingly supportive of system-wide events, particularly the Slice of Literary Orange series, and is always ready to pitch in wherever needed. Stephanie is the kind of person you can always count on—whether taking control of a situation or addressing challenges with ease. Her positive attitude and willingness to step up make her an invaluable asset to the team.

Brea, Calif. (April 8, 2025) – OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy.

Luis Alberto Urrea is a prolific and acclaimed writer who uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater themes of love, loss and triumph. A 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist for nonfiction and a Guggenheim fellow, Urrea is the critically acclaimed and best-selling author of 19 books, including Into the Beautiful North, winning numerous awards for his poetry, fiction, and essays.

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.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 1, 2025) – OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy.

Rick Steves is a popular public television host, a best-selling guidebook author, and an outspoken activist who encourages Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel. He is the founder and owner of Rick Steves' Europe, a travel business with a small-group tour program that brings more than 30,000 people to Europe annually.

   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.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (March 25, 2025) – OC Public Libraries is thrilled to announce its Earth Day 2025 Celebration, a remarkable opportunity to observe and share the library’s commitment to sustainability with the community. 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. To help families and individuals join in the festivities, Earth Day Kits will be available at all OCPL branches while supplies last. These kits are specially curated to promote green initiatives and environmental awareness.

Author Event

Programs during Earth Day 2025: 

For more programs and information about Earth Day 2025 visit Earth Day | OC Public Libraries

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (March 7, 2025) –OC Public Libraries invites the community to visit the Rancho Santa Margarita Library for an upcoming literary event featuring actor, restauranteur, and cookbook author Danny Trejo. 

Danny Trejo is the acclaimed author of Trejo’s Tacos: Recipes and Stories from L.A., a cookbook that pays homage to the vibrant culinary scene of Los Angeles. The book not only features delicious recipes but also highlights his favorite dining spots throughout the region, providing readers with a personal tour of the city's diverse food culture. In addition to his culinary pursuits, he is a renowned Hollywood actor, known for his iconic roles in films such as Machete, Desperado, and Heat. And furthermore, he is a successful restaurateur, with a growing empire of popular eateries, including Trejo's Tacos, Trejo's Cantina, and Trejo's Coffee & Donuts. 

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.

Congratulations Employee of the month Annie!

As our budget analyst, Annie plays a vital role in supporting OC Public Libraries, guiding us in strategic and financial planning, assisting us with the preparation of OCPL’s annual budget, and providing guidance on purchases for branch operations. Annie’s expertise, problem-solving skills, and strategic approach keep us on track and aligned with our financial goals. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable resource, while her positive attitude and collaborative spirit foster a productive and solution-oriented work environment. We truly appreciate all that Annie does to support OCPL’s success!

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (February 27, 2025) – OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy.

Viet Thanh Nguyen is the author of The Committed, which continues the story of The Sympathizer, awarded the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, alongside seven other prizes. He is a University Professor and the Aerol Arnold Professor of English and American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California and the recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim and MacArthur foundations.

OC Public Libraries’ One County, One Book community reading selection for 2025 is The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. From late January through early March, readers of all ages participated in shared reading experiences to celebrate the book. This included film screenings, cultural presentations, and book discussions, all leading up to a speaking engagement with Viet Thanh Nguyen on Thursday, March 6th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Norma Hertzog Community Center in Costa Mesa.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (February 14, 2025) –OC Public Libraries is proud to present A Slice of Literary Orange, a series featuring keynote speakers throughout the year, in celebration of literacy.

Jenifer Lewis is one of Hollywood's most familiar faces, with more than 300 appearances in film and television. Her bestselling memoir, The Mother of Black Hollywood, was named "2018 Book of the Year" at the National Book Club Conference. Jenifer's accomplishments as an entertainer and community activist have been recognized by the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award in Theatre, the American Black Film Festival Career Achievement Award, and the Human Rights Campaign Ally Award.

   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.