Aliso Viejo Library
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[edit] Orange County Public Library, Aliso Viejo Branch
One Journey
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
USA
(949) 360-1730
Open 7 days a week
[edit] About the Aliso Viejo Library
Located in south Orange County, California and opened in 1998, the Aliso Viejo Library is one of the newer branches in the Orange County Public Library system (OCPL).
The Aliso Viejo Library believes in being a vital and vibrant part of the community it serves, so you’ll find lots of programs for children and adults. Storytimes for children take place several times a week. Special events focusing on crafts, science, or entertainment take place as well. For adults, a monthly Movie Matinee features award-winning independent and foreign films, for free. There are also book groups for adults and children. And the biggest program of the year, the annual Summer Reading program, promotes reading during off-school time and gives the kids chances to win prizes.
The library’s opening day collection of 80,000 volumes has grown to 100,000. This collection includes books, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, books on tape and CD, music CDs, videos and DVDs—both documentary and entertainment films. New formats such as Playaways (a self-contained audiobook, just add headphones) and e-audiobooks (download directly from the library catalog to your PC with an Internet connection) are growing in popularity, and in the library’s collection. In the branch, there are also a career center and business table with reference books on these topics.
Technology is a major part of modern libraries. The Aliso Viejo branch is equipped with 27 computer terminals for public use: 4 Adult catalog/database, 17 Adult Internet, 4 Children’s catalog/database, and 2 Children’s Internet. The catalog/database terminals allow users to browse the catalog of Orange County Public Library’s 32 branches and place holds, among other features. These computers also serve as database terminals where one can obtain business, health, and auto repair information; magazine and journal articles; a Spanish interface; and reader’s advisory. There are also databases designed especially for teens and children.
All branches of the Orange County Public Library feature free high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access.
[edit] The Building
Architect: Brion S. Jeannette & Associates, Inc. Newport Beach, California
Contractor: Kenai Construction Co., Inc. San Diego, California
Completion 1997
The Aliso Viejo Library complex covers 21,500 square feet. 14,947 square feet are dedicated to the public library area alone! Other areas include a large community room with 3,085 square feet, a 593 square foot Friends of the Library Bookstore, and a 1,666 square foot coffee shop.
The library building, featuring a 40-foot-high clock tower, is designed for the comfort and convenience of the library user. The interior, accented by attractive lighting, a fireplace, and a spacious foyer, contributes to an atmosphere that is both inviting and intellectual. Energy conservation was a focal point in the design, utilizing low voltage lighting and a thermal storage cooling system. The coffee shop (a first for an Orange County Public Library) in a relaxed setting provides an opportunity for people to gather.
The clock tower features fiber optics to light the clock face. It’s called the “Friendship Tower,” so named by a contest winner.
There are three outdoor patios: a garden atrium, an Adult patio, and a Children’s patio.
In addition to the large Children’s and Adult Departments, the library also has a Teen collection and reading area, a quiet room for individual study, and a room utilized by READ Orange County for literacy tutoring.
[edit] Friends of the Library Bookstore
The Friends of the Aliso Viejo Library raise funds to purchase new books, support children’s programming, and sponsor community events. The Friends also operate a used book store where donated books and used library books can be purchased at a substantial savings.
[edit] References
Orange County Public Library: Aliso Viejo Branch. Brochure, 1997.
