For just under $2 million, two locals will now have parts of the newly renovated Newport Beach Public Library named after them and their families.
The city approved the naming rights agreements for residents Elizabeth Stahr and Roy Woolsey during its Nov. 15 council meeting.
Stahr, who committed $750,000, will have the library’s courtyard at Witte Hall named the “Stahr Courtyard,” according to a Nov. 16 statement from the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation.
Stahr and her late husband, John Stahr have a long-standing history with the library.
Described by the foundation as being the “driving force” behind the library’s construction in 1994, the couple already has the children’s area named after them, known as the “Stahr Children’s Room.”
The Stahrs were also the founders of the library foundation, with Elizabeth continuing to serve a leading role.
“My late husband John and I were proud, 30 years ago now, to raise the money to build [the library],” Stahr said in the foundation’s statement. “Although John is no longer with us, I am honored to continue that tradition, in our joint names, to help build the new lecture hall.”
The foundation also received a commitment from longtime Newport resident Roy B. Woolsey of $1 million, according to a Nov. 15 city staff report.
In honor of his late parents who were longtime residents of Newport Beach, the lobby of the library’s Witte Hall will be named the Louise and Roy Woolsey Memorial Lobby.
According to the library foundation, Roy and Louise Woolsey were active in the community, with Louise “strongly” supporting the library since its inception.
“My parents were both very philanthropic,” Woolsey said in the foundation’s statement. “Given that their lives in Newport Beach were so full of happiness and success, I felt they should have a legacy here.”
In addition to their role in the library, Roy Woolsey was also a long-time member of the Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club, a nonprofit of philanthropic professionals, while Louise supported a number of charities, the statement says.
According to the library foundation, the city has promised to contribute half the cost of the construction of the hall and the foundation will fundraise for the remainder.
It is anticipated the renovated library’s grand opening will take place in 2024, according to the foundation.
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