A year-end thank you

DISCOVER YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY

Over many years, the Laguna Beach community has supported its

library in significant ways.

Last month, one of my Coastline articles bemoaned that our book

budget had been cut by 70% this fiscal year due to California’s

multibillion dollar shortfall and the nation’s flagging economy. That

column sparked the concern of many library patrons, and we received

boxes of new and gently used books as donations.

It was also during this time that the library was fortunate and

privileged to receive two very special gifts. Benefactors Doris and

John Morrissey and Vicki and Niko Theris, longtime Laguna Beach

residents, were especially generous in their financial support.

With the Morrissey’s donation, the library will be able to

purchase new books throughout 2003. The Theris’ contribution has

provided a new public computer with Internet access and Word and

Excel programs. The library warmly thanks the Morrissey and Theris

families and the community for their gifts.

In this season of giving and gratitude, it is our hope that more

public-spirited Lagunans will help endow the library to ensure that

its collection continues to grow. One can contribute to the Friends

of the Library and designate the donation to be used to purchase new

books, magazine subscriptions or audio-visual materials; or to fund

existing programs such as the Children’s Summer Reading Program.

Books may also be purchased to honor the memory of a loved one or

to celebrate a special occasion. Bookplates are placed in these books

in honor of the person or persons.

Lastly, one of the library’s finest treasures is its local history

collection. If you have books, pamphlets or other print items

relating to our community’s interesting and rich heritage, the

library welcomes becoming their repository.

The library wishes to thank its patrons and the Laguna community

for their support during this past year. We hope all of you are

having a most joyous holiday season and heartily invite you to visit

us soon and often in the new year.

* MARIANNA HOF is the Laguna Beach branch librarian.