NEWPORT BEACH : Move to New Main Library Is Underway

The centerpiece in the Newport Beach public library system closed last week while books, magazines, newspapers and videos are being moved into the new $8.2-million library building a mile away.

Officials locked the doors of the Newport Center Library on Thursday night and for the next three weeks will be preparing for a July 12 grand opening at the new library.

“We are ready to go,” said Tom Johnson, assistant librarian. “I think the community will really appreciate” the new library.

The 54,000-square-foot library, still under construction at 1000 Avocado Ave., will provide a spacious setting four times larger than the cramped quarters on San Clemente Drive.

Though the library’s doors are scheduled to swing open in three weeks, the entire move will not be completed until the end of August.

“This project started seven years ago,” Johnson said. “It is nice to put a cap on it.”

During the move, library patrons can use the three Newport Beach branch libraries. The Mariners and Corona del Mar branches will extend their hours to include the next three Sundays.

People may also return materials at any branch or at the drop slot at the old site.

Meanwhile, officials of the Newport Art Museum are considering expanding into the old library building.

“We want to link the two buildings with a walkway to double our gallery size,” said Michael Botwinick, the museum’s director.

Botwinick said that art officials have already begun a campaign to raise the $4 million to $6 million needed to construct the walkway, renovate the old library building and provide a substantial endowment.

“Everybody pretty much agrees that if we can raise the money that we should go ahead and do it,” he said.