Friends Of The Libraries: Writers take advantage of community room

It came to my attention Saturday that a group using the community room at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library was the OC Writers Guild, which has been meeting weekly since July 2011.

This group, which met through https://www.meetup.com, has aspiring writers as young as 15 and older than 70. Of the 130 members, 15 to 20 meet weekly to write a piece on a particular subject and then share it with the other members for comments.

Two other groups of this guild meet at the library once or twice a month. These are the published writers, or those who have a book or article ready for a publisher. Meeting in groups of six or eight, members critique what has been written.

According to the website, the group was established to create a “community of writers that can learn from each other on many different levels, whether this is through critique groups, free writing, reading, talking, etc.”

Group co-Director Lisa Congdon says writers of all levels are welcome to join.

Groups like this are one of the reasons for meeting rooms in libraries. Additionally, there is a real need for smaller meeting rooms — think five or six people — where students can study together, small community committees can meet, and tutors can work with their students.

There is the possibility that one or two small study rooms could be added to the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library. The best time to do that would be when the delayed roof repairs are being done — a few months from now, if things go as planned.

There is no possibility of any addition to the Mesa Verde Library because the building’s infrastructure is inadequate and far out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Yes, I know, I have been on this soap box before — it is just that I continually hope that more people will become involved in planning future library space in Costa Mesa.

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Thanksgiving Holiday

All three Costa Mesa libraries will be closed Nov. 22 and 23 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

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Events at the Mesa Verde Library

Remember the children’s monthly raffle, where each child has a chance to win a new book, toy, stationery and other goodies. Call the library at (714) 546-5274 and ask for the Children’s Desk for details.

Preschool Storytime continues at 11 a.m. Tuesdays, with fun stories, songs and crafts. From 3 to 4 p.m. children can play with the Lego collection to make cars, planes, action figures, animals or whatever else comes to mind. Pajama Storytime will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 21.

The Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries Book Club is at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Friends’ bookstore behind the library. The book selection for November is “Still Life,” by Louise Penny.

A special sale of all hardback mystery books with red labels continues until Sunday at the Friends bookstore at Mesa Verde Library. These books will be $1 each. Call the Friends’ number at (714) 438-0517 for information.

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Events at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

This year the library is holding its third annual recipe raffle.

Each year around this time library patrons are asked to submit their favorite recipes. Everyone who enters a recipe is placed in a raffle to win a prize. The recipe raffle began Nov. 1. Submit your recipe by Tuesday for a chance to win.

Thanksgiving Tales Storytime will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Call the library at (949) 646-8845 for information.

Toddler Storytime is at 11 a.m. Tuesdays.

The Mystery Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 27 to discuss “A Catered Thanksgiving,” by Isis Crawford.

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.