Friends of the Libraries: Remembering those who helped out

Probably not too many people notice the plaque just to the left, inside the door of the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan library.

It reads: “This Orange County Branch Library is dedicated to the memory of Judge Donald Dungan, an avid reader and a dedicated activist in the incorporation of Costa Mesa, who throughout the years volunteered his time and personal skills to enrich the lives of those around him. It is our desire that this facility will forever stand as a memorial to an outstanding individual and friend.”

While the city celebrates its 60th anniversary of incorporation this year, it is good to remember some of those who helped make it happen.

We finally have the dates that the Donald Dungan Library will be closed for roof repair: April 1 (this is not an April Fool’s joke) to July 5. Of course, you will be able to return any books you have checked out from this library to any of the other Orange County Public Library branches, including Mesa Verde, Costa Mesa Technical, Fountain Valley, Irvine’s three libraries, Tustin and more.

However, if you wish to apply for a passport, you will not be able to do that at any other library in the OCPL system. Therefore, you might consider applying before the library closes April 1. Remember, monies earned from this service and the Friends passport photo service help to support our Costa Mesa libraries.

But for now, there is still a lot going on at this library for you and your children to enjoy.

Look for a book sale to be held at the Donald Dungan Library toward the end of March.

At 2 p.m. every Thursday (the next two are Feb. 28 and March 7) there is a bilingual storytime geared toward preschoolers and elementary school-aged children. This free storytime is conducted in both English and Spanish. After the 20-minute storytime, children have time to play together. Children and their caregivers are encouraged to attend.

Toddler Storytime will meet at 11 a.m. Feb. 25 and March 4 for stories, songs, crafts, coloring sheets and “toy-time.”

The Costa Mesa Mystery Book Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 to discuss J.A. Jance’s book, “Sentenced to Die.”

The Costa Mesa Book Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 4 and will discuss “The Old Curiosity Shop” by Charles Dickens. For more information, call the library at (949) 646-8845 and ask for Samantha.

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At the Mesa Verde Library

The book discussion group hosted by the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 25. This month’s book selection is “The Great Gatsby,” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The group meets in the Friends bookstore behind the library.

During the month of March, special books on St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Passover and Ireland will be for sale in the display case just inside the door. These are a small sampling of books from the bookstore, which is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Preschool Storytime and Crafts meets at 11 a.m. every Tuesday for children ages 3 to 5.

All ages of children are invited to Lego Afternoon, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Everyone gets a chance to show off their building skills. The library provides the Legos, and all Lego creations will be displayed in the library for a week.

Sign up for e-reader, e-book and tablet instruction and learn how to download free e-books from the OCPL website. Receive basic instruction on using iPads, Kindles, and other e-reader or tablet devices.

Classes are at 9:15 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. There is also a class at 2:15 p.m. that is by appointment only. Call (714) 546-5274 to make an appointment.

Users of iPads will need to know their iTunes usernames and passwords to download apps. Other tablet users will need to know their device’s app store username and password as well. Kindle users will need to know their Amazon account username and password.

The Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries is looking for a few good men — or women — to fill positions on committees. Call Bob Ooten at (714) 545-9613 for details.

MARY ELLEN GODDARD produces 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.