Friends of the Libraries: Enjoy Dungan before it’s (temporarily) gone

The next book sale at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.

There will be books of all sorts appealing to all ages and interests — fiction and nonfiction, biography, cookbooks and more — in hardback and paperback. Prices are up to $1 each on Saturday. On Sunday, books are a buck a bag, meaning you can fill the bag provided and pay just $1. The sale will be held in the Community Room at the library, 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa.

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At the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

Yes, the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library will close April 1 for repair work, but until then, it will be offering its usual great services. On Monday, toddler storytime will feature the children’s librarian reading stories, singing songs and teaching a craft. Some playtime is also included. Children and their families are welcome. The next day at 6:30 p.m., the Mystery Book Club will discuss “Lavender Lies,” by Susan Wittig Albert. Then at 2 p.m. Thursday, bilingual storytime, conducted in both English and Spanish, will include songs, stories and crafts. This program is for preschoolers and elementary school-age children. Children and their caregivers are encouraged to attend.

I will remind you again that passport service is provided at the Dungan Library. If you have been considering applying for a passport, or renewing one, do it before the library closes. Call the library at (949) 646-8845 to make sure you have the needed paperwork and identification. Passport service is available from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (by appointment). During those same hours, you can get passport photos at the library.

The library is scheduled to reopen in July.

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At the Mesa Verde Library

For those of you who want to download free digital books from the library to your iPads, Kindles and other eReaders, the Mesa Verde Library is still offering eReader classes and workshops at 9:15 a.m. (or 2:15 p.m. by appointment only) Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call the library at (714) 546-5274 to make an appointment. You will need to know your usernames and passwords. Also at this library, preschool storytime is held at 11 a.m. Tuesdays, and Lego Wednesday is at 3:30 p.m. — yes — Wednesdays.

While the Dungan Library is closed, I hope you will check out the Mesa Verde Library. And of course, while you are there, you can visit the Friends of the Library bookstore at the rear of the parking lot. It is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

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The city’s General Plan

On March 19, the City Council was to select the framework of a Public Engagement Program for considering General Plan Strategies for the Land Use and Circulation Elements, which is being updated. I would like to encourage you to let our council know that you think it is important to include a study of what library service we should have in Costa Mesa. For too long, the only library planning has been building maintenance.

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Literary Orange

Literary Orange is a yearly event that I have enjoyed for several years, and I recommend that you check it out and attend also. It is presented by OC Public Libraries, and attendees get the opportunity to listen and engage with an exciting array of authors, have books signed, ask questions and learn about the writing process. This year, on April 6, the keynote speakers are J.A. Jance and Tatjana Soli. Panel discussion sessions will cover numerous genres and topics, including children and young adult literature, food, horror, inspirational, literary fiction, memoirs, poetry, romance, literary agents and mystery.

For the general admission price of $60, you get a day’s entertainment (from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), continental breakfast and lunch. On-site registration is $70. Just Google “Literary Orange 2013” and register online. The event is to be held at the Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. Parking is $7 in the hotel’s open lot. The Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries is helping to sponsor this event.

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 Orange County Public Libraries.