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Friends of the Libraries: What’s your favorite spot in Costa Mesa?

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It is time for elementary students in Costa Mesa to submit an essay in the fourth annual Essay Contest, sponsored by the Costa Mesa Library Foundation. The contest will end Sept. 30. There are two grade-level categories — fifth and sixth grades, and seventh and eighth grades. In 150 words or less, students should write about their favorite place in Costa Mesa, why this is their favorite place, what they do there and who goes with them.

And for the first time, a contest for high school students, the Photography/Video Contest, will also feature “My Favorite Place in Costa Mesa.” In this case, students submit an 8.5-by-11-inch color photograph or a one-minute video telling why it is their favorite place. This contest also ends Sept. 30. For more contest information, check the Costa Mesa Library Foundation website at costamesalibraryfoundation.com, call Barbara Steck at (714) 658-2879 or email bsteck41@gmail.com. Cash prizes will be awarded for each category.

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Planning, Building and Supporting Libraries

In an August 2013 article, “A Vision for the Public Library of the Future,” writer Susan Hildreth reported on a meeting of national library leaders she had attended and said, “We all want to identify ways that communities can leverage investments in these essential public institutions to build stronger information ecosystems and forge new partnerships for achieving national and local civic goals.”

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A second article the same month was from an NPR program, “How Andrew Carnegie Turned His Fortune into a Library Legacy.” I have talked in this column many times about the need to expand our library space in Costa Mesa. So I guess you could say I am looking for a few local “Andrew Carnegies” to help with this expansion. But there are other types of giving, whether or not you can afford to give monetarily. I am speaking of volunteering two or three hours a week in the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries bookstores and passport and photo service. These projects provide support for our Costa Mesa libraries and need additional volunteers. If you can help, leave a message at (714) 432-7752 or email stapleton4@sbcglobal.net.

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At the Costa Mesa/Donald Dungan Library

At 9:30 a.m. Mondays, the library will host Bilingual Storytime. Since the library isn’t officially open at this time, you will need to knock on the door to be admitted. Then at 11 a.m., the English Toddler Storytime will be held.

Children and their parents are invited to join with staff at 2 p.m. Thursdays for Family Storytime. There will be stories, songs and a fun craft. Attendees may stay afterward to play with library toys and socialize. Family Storytime is free and no registration is required.

At 3 p.m. Tuesdays, the library brings out its collection of Duplo toys for toddlers. Children and their families are welcome any time between 3 and 5 p.m. to play with the Duplos.

There will be an acupuncture seminar at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Looking forward to November, there will be a six-week class on parenting. Call the library at (949) 646-8845 for information on this and other programs.

At the present time, the Friends of the Library bookstore is open Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Also, don’t forget our U.S. Passport Service and Passport Photo service, open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. on a walk-in basis, and Saturday by appointment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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At the Mesa Verde Library

At 11 a.m. Tuesdays, there will be stories, songs and activities for children ages 3 to 5.

Activities may include simple crafts, games or outdoor fun like bubble days! Toddlers are welcome, with accompanying adult, of course. Older siblings are also welcome. No registration is required.

Looking ahead, Star Wars Reads Day with costumed “Star Wars” characters is coming up Oct. 6.

The Friends of the Library Bookstore behind the library is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

And at all three of our libraries, if you sign up for a library card this month, you will receive a coupon for a book with a value up to $1 from our Friends’ bookstore.

MARY ELLEN GODDARD produced this column on behalf of the Friends of Costa Mesa Libraries, the Costa Mesa Library Foundation and the three Costa Mesa branches of the OC Public Libraries.

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