MEET ERIN!
Erin Spivey (or “Erin the Librarian” – IYKYK) was born and raised in Huntington Beach and today is raising her own family in the same community that shaped her.
Born at Fountain Valley Hospital and brought home to the very house where her parents still live, Erin grew up attending local schools and learning firsthand what makes Huntington Beach special. She later earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California Santa Barbara, completed her teaching credential at Cal State Long Beach, and received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Drexel University’s nationally ranked graduate program.
While Erin originally planned to teach high school English, she quickly discovered that librarianship was her true calling. In 2008 she entered public service as a library clerk for the City of Long Beach while finishing graduate school. After the birth of her first son, she joined the Los Angeles County Public Library system, where she saw how libraries serve as far more than quiet reading rooms. For many residents they are lifelines for education, job searches, technology access, and community connection.
Erin later spent nearly a decade as a Library Media Specialist in the Fountain Valley School District. Following the pandemic, she returned home to Huntington Beach when she joined the Huntington Beach Public Library, a place that had been part of her life since childhood. Her very first job had been at the coffee cart inside the Central Library. Now she was back as a professional librarian, often bringing her own children to the same building she once visited as a student.
Erin was soon promoted to manage the downtown Main Street Branch, where she expanded collections, launched new programs, and restored public engagement at a time when residents were eager to reconnect. In less than a year, monthly visitors surpassed pre pandemic levels.
Many of the programs she created continue to serve residents today. When the City Council began advancing policies that would restrict access to library materials, Erin spoke publicly about the risks of censorship and the damage it would cause to community trust. As tensions escalated and city librarians were attacked for doing their jobs, Erin made the difficult decision to step away rather than remain in a system that no longer reflected her values.
Erin’s commitment to civic life has always extended beyond her professional work. After becoming a mother, she became active with Moms Demand Action in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, eventually serving as the Orange County group lead. And when Huntington Beach libraries came under attack, Erin again stepped forward to protect these vital public institutions.
Over more than a year of organizing and outreach, Erin recruited plaintiffs, conducted research, coordinated media engagement, and built broad community support. In June 2025, a special election resulted in voters rejecting the City Council’s attempt to dismantle the library system and impose a parent review board. Erin continued pursuing the censorship lawsuit, which went to trial later that year. The court ruled in favor of Erin and her fellow plaintiffs, ordering the city to end its censorship practices.
Today, Erin remains deeply involved in Huntington Beach civic life through organizations focused on education, voter engagement, philanthropy, and community leadership. She is active with the League of Women Voters, Friends of the Huntington Beach Library, Soroptimists of Huntington Beach, West Orange County Consortium on Special Education, Saint Bonaventure Church, and multiple school district advisory committees.
Known to many residents simply as “Erin the Librarian,” Erin Spivey is running for City Council to restore trust in local government, protect community institutions, and refocus City Hall on solving real problems.