Even for bookworms who adore the written word, it’s sometimes hard to fully grasp how much our world has changed since the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Branch of the Orange County Library opened in 1962, and how technology has evolved in the age of artificial intelligence.
Yet, it remains a public center of intellectual knowledge for the community, according to a panel of staff, library executives, and longtime readers ENE recently interviewed about the upgrade.
The Los Al-Rossmoor branch of the OC Library system is one of 29 branches, yet it is one of the oldest and most utilized.
When it opened, computers as big as the entire branch could compute less than the cheapest smartphone on the market today, but today, like then, readers were mostly interested in the worlds of wonder and knowledge offered by books.
The branch underwent a $3 million renovation project that closed its doors for almost two years, yet when it reopened in 2024 with a new look and feel, the community immediately embraced it, and it has never been more popular.
Former Branch Manager Stephanie Mate, who had been at the branch for more than two decades but has left since our interview, said electronic media does serve more people in the younger generation, but people still “like learning new things.”
“I think people are people. I think they’re still utilizing the library resources as they did in the past. We do have access to more electronic sources of content, but there are a lot of patrons that say I know I want to put it on hold because I want to physically read the book,” she said.
“I think offering both options because we have a lot of younger people that are more of a digital generation and they’re more comfortable accessing, like, our eBooks,” she said.
According to Dan Serranilla, director of Marketing and Communications for the OC Public Library system, the Los Al-Rossmoor branch is one of the system’s oldest and most used spaces, serving as a repository of knowledge across all media.
“This branch has been here for decades,” he said, “and with the help of the wonderful staff and the friends who have helped, we’ve had a great run in this community, not only offering programs and services, but a host of other resources.”
Serranilla said this library, like others in the 29-branch system, makes full use of the books, media, electronics, and programs offered by the staff at Los Al/Rossmoor Public Library, but the seven-decade bond reflects the library’s purpose in any community.
“Of course we have a younger generation that is very digital, and very attached to that kind of media and we meet them where they are. But there’s always the need for a physical space, because this is generally the third space for the community,” he said.
“You have your home, your place of work, and you have this library, which is like a community gathering place, not only for families to have literacy promoted to them but, more importantly, where everyone can get together.”
After more than twenty years of service, Librarian Mate agrees, saying community participation remains “very active” at the Los Alamitos–Rossmoor branch.
“We offer programming for all ages, so small children, elementary, high school, college adults, and more, and we’re constantly offering programs to get people into the library,” said Mate.
Not only books and media, but courses from sewing to swimming; you can check out a telescope, a laptop computer, even irons and sewing equipment.
“We do story time twice a week, we do a bilingual program once a month, and we offer teen programming as well,” she said. “Earlier this year, we had a K-Pop programming with teens in it, and we offer book clubs for adults, even a ‘genre hopping’ book club,” she said, listing just a few of the myriad programs and services the library offers.
Serranilla said the library’s county staff tracks demographics for each community to make each library “unique.” For instance, in Laguna Woods, where the senior population is especially high, the library has more non-fiction and “best-sellers” for popular fiction.
Another unique aspect of the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor remodel was adding private community meeting rooms where students can study quietly, or groups can occasionally gather.
No library would be complete without its patrons and “Friends,” and the “Friends of the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library” have their own organization and a dedicated space in the library where they sell books to raise money for the library’s special programs.
Most say they love to read and have enjoyed the journeys the written word offers for most of their lives.
Donna Artukovic, president of the local “Friends” nonprofit organization, says she adores the library’s new look since the remodel, even if it gobbled up a bit of space once enjoyed by “Friends.”
“I understand the reason for the remake was because the state regulations had to be met with sturdy bookshelves for earthquakes, and it was a pretty old library,” she said.
“It is really amazing to me,” said Artukovic, “because I use the library all the time and they can find all the books I want. If they don’t have it here, they’ll get it from San Clemente in a couple of days,” she said.
“I read a lot, and I almost always can get whatever I want.”
Mate confirmed that “sometimes, if the book is not in our system, or if we don’t own it, we do what we call interlibrary loan so we have reciprocity within other libraries for them so we can request it from whether it’s coming from the state or coming from out of state. We can request that item for you to be at the central library; you can check it out with your library card.”
Mary Holzgang, another lifelong reader and member of the “Friends” organization, praised the selection of books available to children.
“I think the variety of choices of books is fantastic. We have a great children’s section,” she said, “and the programs that are offered to kids are terrific.”
It is important, said Holzgang, “because this is where reading starts, and if reading is fun and enjoyable, they’re likely to remain readers.”
Stan Davidson said that in sixth grade, he edited the school’s newspaper and has never lost his love of the ink on paper. For him, the Los Alamitos-Rossmoor library is a mecca with daily copies of most major city newspapers.
“Newspapers from around the country for free,” he said, noting that he “comes in on an almost daily basis to get some ink on my fingers and just sit down and take my time and go through the newspapers to get the full story, instead of the two-minute version.”
The “Friends” have their own bookstore connected to the library, which is open regularly. They sell books the library has replaced and discarded, generally well-known titles, at very reasonable prices. They use the proceeds for scholarships and other programs that help the library buy new books or run programs.
“I have three loves in my life,” said Artukovic, “libraries, education, and the arts.”
“And libraries are right at the top because I love to read, and this library is amazing to me. I come here sometimes just to be around books,” said Artukovic.
“I know that sounds stupid,” she said, “but I love to read. If I could have my way, I’d be reading every day because reading takes you outside yourself and into something else. It makes you realize so much more about life.”
Editor’s Note:According to the OC Library System, Mate recently left the system and has been replaced by interim Manager Heather Daugherty.