Advertisement

Friends of the Libraries: Calling advocates for our libraries

Share

This is a reminder to attend the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries’ “Meet and Greet,” intended to introduce candidates of our special districts, namely Mesa Water District, Orange County Water District and Costa Mesa Sanitary District, to our community. The services of these sometimes forgotten local governments are very important to your lives, and we should all become more informed about them. The get-together is on Oct. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Halecrest Park Swim and Tennis Club, 3107 Killybrooke Lane, Costa Mesa. RSVP to bobbyooten@aol.com, or call (714) 545-9613.

*

Become a library advocate

I’m hoping that many of you will become library advocates. What is an advocate? It is someone who actively supports a cause. Many people in our community recognize that libraries are an important asset, but they seem to keep that information to themselves.

Advertisement

As a result, others don’t understand libraries’ importance. They may have a stereotyped image of libraries based on interactions that took place generations ago. If we are to support our libraries and expand their space, we all need to be heard. It is no secret that Costa Mesa’s libraries are among the smallest of cities our size in California. Even the diligent work of our hard-working staffs can’t shoehorn in needed space for tutoring/study rooms, homework help, book clubs, teen areas and children’s programs that don’t impinge on other groups in the library.

So — please let your neighbors, people you work with, our City Council and others in meetings you might attend know that you think it is time to buckle down and take the opportunity we are presented with to expand the Donald Dungan Library. Preliminary plans have been drawn, and hopefully, at the Nov. 18 City Council meeting, the architect will be named to come up with final drawings. Your attendance and support will be much appreciated.

*

At the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

Big Draw Day is on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 1 p.m. until finished. In this activity, children and teens are asked to fill paper with their best art to make a mural to be displayed.

On Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 at 11 a.m., Toddler Storytime will provide both an entertaining and educational half hour for your young children.

Bilingual Conversation Group will meet Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call the library at (949) 646-8845.

Film Club meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. On Sept. 29, the 1970s film “Star Wars” will be shown. Then, on Oct. 6, a film produced in the 1980s is on tap.

On Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 from 2 to 5 p.m., enjoy Duplo Day with your family at designated tables in the Community Room.

A new program, Beginning English Conversation Group, will meet on the last Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. It is led by librarian Zida Zehdar, who speaks Spanish fluently.

Family Storytime, with the opportunity for small children to come with a favorite stuffed toy and dressed in their pajamas, is on Oct. 1 and 8 at 7 p.m.

On Oct. 2 and 9 at 4 p.m., the family films will be two produced in the 1980s. On Saturday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m., your children can enjoy Bilingual Digital Storytime.

*

At the Mesa Verde Library

The bookstore behind the Mesa Verde Library has a lot of great cookbooks on sale, some reduced to 25 cents. There are also lots of children’s books, some collectible books, lots of vinyl records and lots of teaching materials in addition to their usual fine assortment of books.

Remember Star Wars Reads Day last year? This popular program is coming again Saturday, Oct. 11, from noon to 2 p.m.

Read with a Dog is again to be presented on Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. Reading to these specially trained therapy dogs has proven to be helpful in promoting reading skills.

On Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 at 11 a.m., Preschool Storytime will be held, followed at 11:30 a.m. by Preschool Craftivity.

*

At the Costa Mesa Technology Library

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m., you’re free to work with library volunteers who can help you learn basic computer skills, navigate the Internet, create and use email accounts, print documents and more. For more information, call the library at (949) 515-3970.

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.

Advertisement