Friends of the Libraries: Libraries can be supporters of the arts

In the Forum page of the Nov. 13 Daily Pilot, just-elected councilwoman Katrina Foley writes about Costa Mesa High School’s new performing arts complex as a step forward for the City of the Arts.

She points out that public projects like this are good for the whole community. She says more should be done to reap the benefits of being the home of performing arts venues.

I heartily agree. But I would add that we don’t need to stop with the performing arts. Visual and literary arts provide the same benefits in a community. The recognition of these cultural assets can serve as a building block for economic vitality.

To fully realize the benefits of Costa Mesa as an arts venue, education in the arts should be freely available to residents of all ages. I suggest that our public libraries provide access to all three art forms. One mission of libraries is to provide information. Arts programming in libraries is just a different way of presenting information.

As Christina Endres says in “The Library as Incubator Project,” “By promoting and supporting the arts, a library can help create a more creative and expressive community, and allow those without access to art education or art museums to participate and learn in this creative community.”

One of her co-authors, Erinn Batykefer, adds, “The library is the place where you learn what you want to learn, not what you have to learn.”

In any planning for arts education, cultural assets and economic development in Costa Mesa, our libraries and their possibilities should be considered.

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Holidays at our libraries

Our Costa Mesa branches of the Orange County Public Library will close at 5 p.m. Nov. 26 and be closed all day Nov. 27 and 28. They will be back in business Saturday, Nov. 29.

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At the Mesa Verde Library

Reading to a dog has been shown to encourage and improve reading in children. On Nov. 22 from 2 to 3 p.m., for five or 10 minutes, children can practice their reading with a non-judgmental dog friend. Parents can assist children who aren’t reading yet. The program will take a break in December but resume in January.

Storytime for preschoolers, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, will be a blend of traditional and digital stories. Following this from 11:30 a.m. to noon, Craftivity will involve simple crafts, games or outdoor fun like bubble days and sidewalk chalk. On Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, the same programs will be given, first at the same 11 a.m. to noon time period and, later in the day, from 2 to 3 p.m.

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At the Donald Dungan Library

Read to a dog from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 22.

Toddlers and preschoolers can join Mr. Erik for stories, songs and finger plays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 24 and Dec. 1.

The book club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 to discuss “Breathing Lessons,” by Anne Tyler. Feel free to bring a dish to share for the club’s annual holiday potluck.

Families can work together to build their own creations with Duplo toys from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 25 and 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Family Storytime, when children can come in their pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed toy to keep them company, will be held from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

It is movie time at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25 and Dec. 2. For family films, showtime is 3:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Call the library at (949) 646-8845 for information on film titles, stars and directors.

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At the Costa Mesa Technology Library

Volunteers will offer one-on-one help in sharpening your basic computer skills at 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Friday, the classes begin at 3:30 p.m.

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.