Friends of the Libraries: Want to honor that special teacher?

If you have a favorite teacher, one who is currently teaching in a public or private primary, middle or high school in Costa Mesa, you can nominate that person for an award. The Costa Mesa Library Foundation, in cooperation with the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, will be giving out this award at a breakfast on May 9.

Nomination forms are available at the three Costa Mesa libraries and the Chamber of Commerce office. Those submitting the forms must say why this person is a favorite teacher, what he or she does that is special and what he or she does to make learning fun. Students, teachers, parents, principals and others may nominate a favorite teacher.

Completed forms should be taken to a Costa Mesa library or to the chamber or emailed to [email protected]. Former finalists are not eligible for nomination. The deadline for submission is March 30.

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Literary Orange is fast approaching

This year’s Literary Orange event is set for April 11. More than 30 authors are expected to speak and participate in panel discussions. Anne Perry, author of the bestselling William Monk and Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels as well as five World War I novels, will be a keynote speaker.

Visit https://www.literaryorange.org for the complete lineup of authors and other information, or call Susan Pima at (949) 496-5517.

I will be telling you more about this event later, but in the meantime, seriously consider attending. I have done so on numerous occasions and always thought it was a great way to spend the day.

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Another February library holiday

Our three Costa Mesa libraries will be closed Feb. 16 for President’s Day.

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At the Mesa Verde Library

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with origami.

Learning the ancient art of paper-folding with Kazue Kendrick has become a yearly tradition at the Mesa Verde Library. This event is to be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 19 and is recommended for children ages 7 and up. Younger children are welcome with an adult.

The children’s winter reading program celebrates the 50 years that the Mesa Verde Library has been open. The program ends March 1, so this is the time to sign up and get a reading log to participate. This is for children ages 2 to 14 (younger children can be read to). Children earn buttons that allow them to claim prizes. Call (714) 546-5274 for more information.

A unique blend of traditional and digital stories for preschoolers, with finger plays and songs, will be held Feb. 17 and 24 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Crafts and activities will follow the story time from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Toddlers are welcome with an adult.

Afternoon Storytime for children 7 and under will be held Feb. 18 and 25 from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Craftivity will follow for another half hour.

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At the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

Children can join Mr. Erik for stories, songs, finger plays, crafts and more at Family Storytime at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 and 25. Toddlers and preschoolers are welcome, and no registration is required.

The Bilingual Conversation Group will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 to practice English and Spanish. For more information, call (949) 646-8845.

Bilingual Digital Storytime will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 21. Also on that date, Board Game Day will be held from noon to 5 p.m.

Toddler Storytime will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 23. Puzzle Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 27 in the community room.

A MATHmania/Robotics class will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Call ahead at (949) 646-8845 to register.

The Film Club will present “Hannah and Her Sisters” and “Crimes and Misdemeanors” on Feb. 17 and 24 at 6:30 p.m. Children’s movies will be “Peter Pan” and “Tangled” on Feb. 19 and 26 at 3:30 p.m.

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Costa Mesa Technology Library

Don’t forget, if you need help with basic computer skills and the Internet, you can get it at the Technology Library at 2263 Fairview Road, Suite A, at 4 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24. Call (949) 515-3970 for more information.

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.