Friends Of The Library: Funding campaign on for central library

When a thousand people each give $1,000 that equals $1 million. This major capital support campaign of the Costa Mesa Library Foundation — to raise a substantial sum of money for a new central library in Costa Mesa from a large number of residents in our community — gives everyone an opportunity to make a statement that they know and appreciate the importance of libraries in their education, employability, and relaxation.

Why do we need a central library?

A number of studies completed since 1998 show that there are unmet library needs in our city. Additional space is needed for expanded collections, study rooms, meeting rooms, more computers, teen areas, and the very popular children's programs. There should be sufficient space for local artists to exhibit or perform their works.

Currently library service in Costa Mesa is provided by three small branch libraries of the Orange County Public Library (OCPL) system: the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library, at 1855 Park Ave., the Mesa Verde Library, at 2969 Mesa Verde Drive East, and the Technology Library, at 3033 S. Bristol St.

Among cities of our size in California, Costa Mesa has the least amount of library space. This affects all aspects of the quality of life in our community, including employment, housing, public safety and education.

Correcting this imbalance is essential for all Costa Mesans. Our three present libraries have great, hard-working staffs, but there is a limit to what they can accomplish in such small spaces.

This library is urgently needed but can only be built with the active support, both vocally and financially, of all Costa Mesans.

You can pledge your $1,000 support in the form of a one-time donation or spread out your commitment in monthly, quarterly, or yearly increments. Pledge online at http://costamesalibraryfoundation.org/fundraising-campaigns, or send a check or money order to: Costa Mesa Library Foundation, $1000 from 1000 People Campaign, P.O. Box 2864, Costa Mesa, CA 92628.

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What our youth is reading

Because I volunteer in a library, I have been asked what our young people are reading these days. I needed help with that and asked Rosalind Wilkes, branch manager at the Mesa Verde Library.

This is what she said: