Friends of the Libraries: Plan for the holiday

For those who dislike being stuck without a good book to read, remember that our Costa Mesa libraries will be closed on May 28 for Memorial Day.

The Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries Bookstore behind the Mesa Verde Library will be closed May 26 and 27 and open again May 29. The Friends Bookstore at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library will be open on its regular schedule, except on May 28 when the library is closed.

*

Support Our Local Lions Club

An organization that has occasionally donated funds to our Costa Mesa libraries is the Lions Club.

While going through the Lions Club archives at the Costa Mesa Historical Society recently, I found evidence of that as well as a 1984 news clipping, which showed children dressed as books marching in the Fish Fry parade.

This is a sneaky way to remind you that the Lions Club Fish Fry and carnival will be held during the first weekend in June. For the first time, the Fish Fry will be held in Fairview Park.

Be sure to attend and buy a fish dinner to help the Lions contribute to the many local youth organizations in our community.

*

Nuts and Bolts for Friends, Trustees and Foundations

The American Library Assn. will have its annual conference in Anaheim this year. The Assn. of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations , which is a division of the library association will have several programs that library lovers should be aware of.

An all-day “Nuts and Bolts for Friends, Trustees, and Foundations” will be held on June 22. Several other programs of special interest to Friends of the Library and Library Foundations will be held during the event.

.

*

2012 Beginning Writers’ Workshop

The last two sessions of the 2012 Beginning Writers’ Workshops, sponsored by the Costa Mesa Library Foundation, will be held on May 24 and June 21. The topics are “Creating Characters” and “Finding an Agent.”

Sessions are $25 each. For more information, go to https://www.costamesalibraryfoundation.orghttps://www.costamesalibraryfoundation.org.

*

The Squeaky Wheel

I have spoken before about the need to advocate for more library space in our town. This needs to be in our city’s plans – and its budget. Budget studies are now going on. Advocate.

*

At the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

Bilingual Storytimes are held at 2 p.m. on Thursdays. The family movie “Cars” will be screened at 2 p.m. on May 22 in the Community Room. Duplo Day will be held at 2 p.m.

“Poppy Done to Death” by Charlaine Harris is the book selected for the Mystery Book Club, which will meet at 6:30 p.m. May 29 in the Community Room. Copies of the book are available at the checkout desk during the month leading up to the book club.

The library is at 1855 Park. Ave., Costa Mesa. Call (949) 646-8845 for more information.

*

At the Mesa Verde Library

The Mesa Verde Library, at 2969 Mesa Verde Drive, Costa Mesa, is hosting a Patrons Appreciation Day on May 30, to celebrate and thank their loyal patrons. These patrons are invited to drop by between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to chat and share light refreshments with library staff.

For the remainder of the month, topical books in the Friends of the Library in-library display case will be those on graduation, travel and Memorial Day. Other books on these topics can be found in the Bookstore.

The library is recruiting teen volunteers, ages 12 to 18, to help with the Summer Reading Program. Registration began on May 1. Call (714) 546-5274 for information.

The Children’s Monthly Raffle will continue until the end of the month. Each child can enter for a chance to win a new book, toy, stationery and other goodies.

Remember that Preschool Storytime is from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, and Pajama Storytime is from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries book club will meet in the Friends’ bookstore, behind the Mesa Verde Library to discuss “Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu” by Laurence Bergreen.

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 Orange County Public Libraries.