The Newport Beach Public Library: Innovation, Engagement, and Gratitude
By: Chase Rief
As a Trustee of the Newport Beach Public Library, I am privileged to help guide an institution that serves as the cultural and knowledge hub of our community. Thanks to generous community support and the city’s ongoing commitment, our library is thriving and well-positioned for an exciting future.
1. Embracing Innovation in a Digital Age
Today’s Newport Beach Public Library is more relevant than ever. While digital resources and e-services continue to expand, we remain equally committed to our welcoming physical spaces - places where neighbors learn, connect and share ideas. Our Trustees and staff continually evaluate new technologies and services, ensuring that every advancement truly benefits our patrons. Recent upgrades to our digital collections and online access have made it even easier for everyone to enjoy the library, wherever they are.
2. Expanding Community-Focused Programming
Our library offers something for every age and interest, from early childhood story times to inspiring lectures and workshops for adults. Each month, we host a wide range of events and classes- book clubs that spark lively discussion, hands-on STEAM workshops for kids and teens, technology help sessions for seniors, and author visits that bring nationally recognized voices right to our community. Our summer reading program continues to draw hundreds of families and young readers, building enthusiasm for books and learning year after year. Seasonal events, enrichment lectures, and interactive workshops ensure there is always something new to discover at the library. We take pride in seeing the library’s meeting rooms and event spaces filled with people engaged in learning, creativity and connection. These experiences help foster a lifelong love of reading and provide meaningful opportunities for neighbors to meet, share ideas and participate in the rich cultural life of Newport Beach.
3. Building on Strong Community Support
The success of the Newport Beach Public Library is truly a collective achievement. We are grateful for the ongoing generosity of the Newport Beach Library Foundation - whose support is making the new Witte Lecture Hall a reality - and for the tireless work of the Friends of the Library volunteers. Their dedication, combined with the city’s steadfast commitment, ensures that our library continues to flourish.
With exciting developments on the horizon, including the new Balboa branch and Witte Hall, the library’s role as Newport Beach’s central gathering place for culture, learning and inspiration continues to grow. Together - Trustees, staff, volunteers, and supporters—we are committed to keeping our library vibrant and innovative for generations to come.