Friends of the Libraries: Other O.C. cities setting the library pace
Costa Mesa is not the only Orange County city working toward expanding its library square footage. San Clemente is doing so and in fact is ahead of us.
Its library will be closing June 16 for the remodeling, and an adjacent no-longer-used senior center will be included in the new configuration to bring the total square footage up from 9,856 to 14,252. Because San Clemente’s population is just 64,882, its square foot per capita will be just a little less than what Costa Mesa’s would be if the Neighborhood Community Center is converted to a library.
A number of other libraries in Orange County have expanded in the past few years, including Fullerton, Orange and Newport Beach. Escondido, in San Diego County, with a population of about 150,000, is working to expand its 47,000-square-foot library to 77,000 square feet. Library officials there have realized that with rapidly evolving technology, digital content, changing customer expectations and a need to serve a more diverse customer base — including teens as well as cultural groups — more space is needed.
I am sure that in most if not all of these cities and towns, some people have been for and others against the projects. In Costa Mesa’s case, some residents are afraid of losing meeting space for their groups. The city has stressed that it will make sure that space is found for these groups. This is a chance to get badly needed library space in our town for much less than we might otherwise have to pay. Let’s make this work.
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At the Costa Mesa/Donald Dungan Library
Sign-ups for the Dungan Summer Reading Program “Paws to Read” begin June 30. The first program is that day also. It will feature the Wildlife Company, which specializes in presentations involving exotic animals, at 11 a.m.
The next movies to be viewed and discussed will be “Citizen Kane,” directed by Orson Welles, on June 17 and the Howard Hawks film “The Big Sleep” on June 24. Both start at 6:30 p.m. Children’s movies will be shown at 4 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, call the library at (949) 646-8845.
At Family Storytime, Tales and Toys will be held from 7 to 7:30 p.m. June 18 and 25. Children are welcome to come in pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed toy.
Those who like morning story times will want to attend at 11 a.m. June 16 with their toddlers. And on June 17 and 24 from 2 to 6 p.m., the Duplo tables will be set up for children and their families to be creative with the building blocks. For another family event, on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., bring the whole family and play board games or participate in fun crafts.
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At the Mesa Verde Library
The last two teen volunteer orientations are scheduled for 9 a.m. June 14 and 4 p.m. June 18. Teens wishing to volunteer must fill out an application and attend a mandatory orientation. They must be at least 12 (or going into seventh grade) to 18 years old (and still in high school). Volunteer hours can count toward community service in the following school year.
Summer reading registration begins at 10 a.m. June 23. Stop by the library to register, pick up reading game supplies and find out about events scheduled for the summer. There are summer reading programs for children, teens and adults. The kick-off event begins at 1 p.m. with crafts and refreshments, and at 1:30, Arty Loon will entertain with his magic and comedy.
A Digital Read-Along is planned for June 26. At 1 p.m., it will be for kindergarteners and younger, at 4 p.m. for those in first to third grades, and at 7 p.m. for fourth to sixth grades. Call the library at (714) 546-5274.
Or try the Preschool Storytime at 11 a.m. June 17 and the Craftivities that follow at 11:30 a.m.
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At the Costa Mesa Technology Library
The classes and workshops on basic computer skills are still being held at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call the library at (949) 515-3970 to schedule a time.
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.