Historic Orange Preservation Online
The Orange Public Library is located in the City of Orange, California. It was founded in 1885, making it
one of the oldest public libraries in Orange County.
Postmaster Robert E. Tener donated his collection of about 300 books and ran the library as a private organization, using dues from the members to build and maintain the collection. The library itself was housed in the Post Office Building on South Glassell. It remained as a private organization until 1894 when it was turned over to the city.
In 1905, the collection needed a new building and was granted a Carnegie building to house the library on the corner of Center and Chapman, where the Main Library is still located today. In 1961, the original Carnegie building was demolished and a 17,000 square foot building was erected, increasing in size to provide service to an anticipated population of 40,000.
An expanded new Orange Public Library & History Center reopened on April 21, 2007. At 45,000 square feet, the new library building includes a Children's Library, Teen Zone, Homework Center and a History Center.
Portions of the Orange Public Library's Historic Orange Preservation Online project were supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services
under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology
Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.