Balboa Library Closing Saturday for Renovation

Using funds left to it when library patron Roy Reiber died four years ago, the Balboa Branch library will close Saturday for renovation.

Reiber bequeathed $50,000 to the small branch of the Newport Beach library, on the Balboa Peninsula near where he lived.

His desire was that the money be used to support the library’s services for children.

During the month it will be closed, crews will paint and recarpet and build a children’s reading room, which will be called the Reiber Children’s Room.

Relatives described Reiber as an avid reader and writer with a particular fondness for puns and short poems.

He spent much of his time at the Balboa library because he loved its atmosphere and the helpful employees.

The library will reopen Sept. 2. A grand reopening party will be held Sept. 21 from noon to 4 p.m.

While it is closed, patrons may return books at the Central Library or at the Corona del Mar or Mariners branches.