NEWPORT BEACH : New Library to Affect Hours at 3 Branches

While Newport Beach prepares for the grand opening of its $8.2-million Central Library, officials announced that the smaller branch libraries of Corona del Mar, Balboa and Mariners now are closed on Mondays.

The fewer hours help to offset a 7.5% cut in the city’s library budget and the anticipated operating costs of the new, larger central library. The Central Library project was funded with city-issued bonds sold to cover construction costs and an endowment made up of private and corporate donations.

The branch libraries will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The Central Library will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

“We don’t know how the change will affect use of the branch libraries yet,” said LaDonna Kienitz, city librarian.

The city reduced library hours from 65 hours a week two years ago to 54 hours last year and 45 hours a week for this fiscal year.

The library staff is in the process of moving thousands of books, magazines and supplies to the new Central Library, which will open July 11 at 1000 Avocado Ave. The new library’s phone number is (714) 717-3800.