Porterville, CA – The Porterville City Council has approved plans for a new 16,765 square foot library. The construction of the brand-new library is an important milestone in a journey that began years ago and reflects the community’s resilience, vision, and commitment to learning.
Planning for a new, modern library began in 2017, when the need to replace the aging facility and expand services for residents of all ages was recognized. That vision took on new urgency after the tragic 2020 fire that destroyed the original library building. Since then, the City has worked diligently to maintain library services through a temporary location while pursuing funding, refining designs, and planning a facility that will serve Porterville for generations to come.
Through strong advocacy, the City secured $7.26 million in state funding from the California State Library’s Building Forward Library Infrastructure Program—one of the largest single investments in Porterville’s library system. Additional insurance proceeds from the fire have supported temporary operations, design efforts, and recovery work, allowing the project to move forward responsibly.
After extensive collaboration with Paul Halajian Architects, City staff, and the Library Facility Planning Committee, the City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to constructing the new library at the originally identified site. The updated design proposes a 16,765 square-foot, modern public library with dedicated spaces for children, teens, adults, and staff—carefully designed to maximize visibility, functionality, and flexibility for future growth.
With a recommended total project budget of $22 million, the plan balances fiscal responsibility with the community’s long-term needs. Moving forward now helps avoid rising construction costs, protects critical grant funding, and keeps momentum strong.
While future expansion remains possible as additional funding becomes available, the City is focused on delivering a practical, high-quality library that meets today’s needs while laying the foundation for tomorrow. The City looks forward to continuing this exciting journey with the community and sharing updates as the project advances.
Porterville, lying along the foothills of the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountain range, is located on State Route 65, 165 miles north of Los Angeles. The city has a strategic central location to major markets and ready access to major transportation routes. Centrally located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Porterville is situated on the eastern edge of California's San Joaquin Valley, just 17 miles off State Route 99, a primary north-south transportation route. The city is approximately an hour from Fresno and Bakersfield and is a bustling city of over 62,000, serving as a trade center to over 100,000 people. Porterville serves as the gateway to the Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument, and is home to The Mighty 190, a local tourism collaboration that promotes countless outdoor adventures and natural amenities located along State Route 190 in southeastern Tulare County between Porterville and the Trail of 100 Giants. To learn more, please visit www.ci.porterville.ca.us or www.themighty190.com. Questions? Please contact yvelarde@ci.porterville.ca.us.