Friends of the Library: Money granted to buy more e-books

Those of you reading books electronically will be happy to know that the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries has given the Orange County Public Libraries $1,000 to purchase more “best-seller” e-books.

Costa Mesa’s three libraries are branches of the OCPL. The demand for these books has increased dramatically recently, and the Friends are trying to satisfy that need.

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Library master plan needed

Libraries affect the quality of life in a community. The better the library, the better the quality of life.

But they are not just something that just “happens.” They need to be planned.

What was adequate 10 or 20 years ago is not always adequate now. With the advent of e-books and other electronic media, a study should be made in Costa Mesa — a Master Plan for Libraries — to address the wants and needs of the community.

Many cities have master plans for their libraries, and some, including Ft. Worth, Texas, are presently working on one. We would be wise to do the same.

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Observing Monday’s holiday

All three of our Costa Mesa libraries will be closed Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. King is perhaps best known for stressing nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement.

The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983.

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At the Costa Mesa/Donald Dungan Library

Children up to 6 years old and their families will enjoy listening to stories and playing with educational toys at 2 p.m. Jan. 17.

The next day, all children and their families are welcome to build a castle or a car, using Legos and Duplos. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. Toddler Storytime, with songs, stories, crafts and snacks, is held at 11 .am. every Monday (unless the library is closed, of course).

Family Movie Day on Jan. 24 is a fun and free way to spend the afternoon. It starts at 2 p.m. in the library’s community room. Snacks will be served and all children and their families are welcome. Contact the Information Desk, or call (949) 646-8845 for more details, including a list of upcoming movie titles.

Family Game Night begins at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 25. All children and their families are welcome to attend this free program. The library will provide fun family-friendly games and a snack in the library’s Community Room.

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At the Mesa Verde Library

From 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, ReadOC will present a program for families with at least one child younger than 5. The children and their siblings will listen to stories, play games and make crafts together, while their parents and caregivers receive ideas and resources. Each child will receive a free book for participating.

Lego tables will be set up on from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. Children will have a chance to try out their ingenuity in building Lego creations.

The winter/spring session of Mesa Verde’s Pajama Storytimes will begin from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. This event is held every Wednesday evening and will continue into May for children ages 3 to 8. Children are welcome to come in their pajamas as they listen to stories, as well as participate in fingerplays, poetry and music. Call (714) 546-5274 for more information.

From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19, Kazue Kendrick and members of the Orange County Japanese American Assn. will come to Mesa Verde Library for their annual visit. They will present to children ages 5 to 12 a challenging and exciting Origami-Kai Workshop. Children will see and will have the opportunity to make a variety of origami figures at this popular hands-on event.

On Jan. 23, the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries Book Club will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss “The Elegance of the Hedgehog,” a book by the French novelist and professor of philosophy Muriel Barbery. If you’d like to get a head start on reading it, the February book for this group is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot.

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.