Library foundation relying on authors

Elise Gee

COSTA MESA -- The Costa Mesa Library Foundation hopes to raise

$4,000 from an author series, which boasts an evening with Ray Bradbury.

The series, called “Author! Author!” is the first major organized

fund-raiser by the library foundation. Although the fund-raiser will

raise only a mere fraction of the estimated $15 million needed to build a

new central library, organizers are focusing on generating interest and

support for their cause, said foundation President Sandy Genis.

The foundation envisions a 70,000-square-foot library that would house

more than 150,000 books and include a computer center, resource center,

meeting rooms and other amenities.

“Hopefully, it will give us a good start on our fund-raising and raise

the awareness and interest of our community,” said Margy Johnston, board

member.

The “Author! Author!” series features presentations by Ray

Bradbury, T. Jefferson Parker and JoAnn Mapson. The first presentation

will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Costa Mesa Senior Center.

“We’re all people who enjoy reading and we want to share that with

other people,” Genis said.

The foundation is in the very beginning stages of planning the

library. The City Council set aside $45,000 in February for a needs

assessment for the project. However, city staff is still defining the

scope of that study, and it has not gone out to bid yet, Genis said.

The hope is to build a library in 10 to 15 years, Genis said. In terms

of fund-raising, Genis said once the foundation reaches the six-figure

mark, it will be easier to secure grants and larger private donations.

“To get sizable grants you have to demonstrate that you’re already

doing something,” she said.

FYI: T. Jefferson Parker will read at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Costa

Mesa Senior Center. Ray Bradbury will read Oct. 13 and JoAnn Mapson will

read Nov. 17. Reservations for the complete series are $40 per person.

Single sessions are $15. For more information, call (949) 650-4846.