Newport Beach's Board of Library Trustees elected Antonella Castro as its new chair Monday, July 20, reshuffling leadership as the library system heads into a fiscal year backed by an $11.3 million operating budget.
Castro, who had served as vice chair, replaces Lauren Kramer on the five-member board. Meghan Murray was elected vice chair, according to the city's updated board roster. Dorothy Larson remains secretary, and Chase Rief and Kramer continue as trustees.
The officer elections led the agenda at the 5 p.m. meeting in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Drive.
Other business
Trustees also reviewed the city's Library Service Policy (Council Policy I-1), considered a proposed winter 2026 holiday schedule, accepted a grant from the Library Foundation of Newport Beach, and heard a monthly library activities report, according to the posted agenda. The board approved the minutes from its June 15 regular meeting on the consent calendar.
Staff recommended no revisions to the library service policy be forwarded to the City Council, per the agenda.
Budget context
The board's $11.3 million operating budget for FY 2026-27, a 7.81 percent increase over the prior year, was reviewed and approved at the trustees' May 18 meeting. The Central Library alone accounts for roughly $4.5 million of that total, a 10.1 percent jump. Newport Beach spends $129.09 per resident on library services, according to a Voice of OC analysis of the city's proposed budget.
That spending is visible on the ground. The $23.4 million Witte Hall, a 10,000-square-foot auditorium adjacent to the Central Library on Avocado Avenue, held its ribbon-cutting July 9 with Mayor Lauren Kleiman and drew 575 visitors to its public open house July 12. The facility seats nearly 300 and was funded through a public-private partnership between the city and the Library Foundation, each contributing $11.7 million.
"This new facility expands opportunities for lectures, performances, educational programming and community events," Mayor Kleiman said at the July 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
How to weigh in
The board meets the third Monday of each month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 17. Residents can submit written comments by emailing [email protected] by 5 p.m. the Sunday before each meeting.
Library Services Director Melissa Hartson serves as staff liaison and can be reached at (949) 717-3801.
