What's Happening at the Library in June

The Children's "Dig Into Reading" and Teen's "Beneath the Surface" Summer Reading Program begins registration on June 1st. We also have a very special Stuffed Animal Sleepover. When you sign up for the Summer Program from June 1 - June 15, bring a stuffed animal to the library to spend the night. The next day pick up your animal, along with a photo showing what fun your animal had all night and a certificate of participation.

Tuesday, June 4, 5- 7 p.m. Free iPhone Class - Basics and Advanced Functionality by Morro Bay Resident Aaron Anderson of Rock View Realty

This is another opportunity for this free hands-on workshop which is both an introduction to the iPhone and an advanced class on some of the less obvious aspects of iPhone ownership. Please call 772-6394 to Reserve your Seat.

Tuesday, June 11 beginning @ 5:00 p.m. Duct Tape Crafts

We'll provide the tape, you bring your imagination! The program is sponsored by Rita's Rainbows, an organization dedicated to helping children in need.

Tuesday, June 25, beginning @5:30 p.m., Magician Gerald Joseph - all ages

Gerald keeps the laughs going from start until finish. Amazing sleight of hand magic and outrageously funny sight gags. Audiences of all ages will be sure to be entertained.

Wednesday, June 5, 10 a.m. - Noon, The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Welcome to a surreal version of Great Britian, circa 1985, where time travel is routine, cloning is a reality, and literature is taken very seriously.

Wednesday, June 12, 10 a.m. - Noon, The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

This novel tells the haunting and beautiful story of Julia and her family as they struggle to live in a time of extraordinary change.

Wednesday, June 19, 10 a.m. - Noon, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins & End of Spring Alphabet Potluck

In the ruins once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts where annually they participate in the Hunger Games. Winning means fame and fortune. Losing means . . . .

Also, join us for an end of spring alphabet potluck. If your last name begins with the following letter please bring that dish which feeds eight to ten people: A — F appetizers, G — L salads, M — R meat/vegan, S — Z: desserts/fruit.

Wednesday, June 26, 10 a.m. - Noon Join Us for our 4th Wednesdays Mystery Readers Group as we read and discuss Feast Day of Fools by James Lee Burke

Holland is a quintessential Burke hero—deeply moral, tortured by past sins, appalled at the depravity of our fallen world, and firmly committed to justice.

Thursdays, June 6, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., E-devise Classes

(This class also meets at the same time on 13 - on 20 & 27 it meets from 10 a.m. - Noon)

Please feel free to drop in at any time or date listed above to ask questions or to learn how to use your e-device.

Thursdays, June 6, 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m., Beginners Yoga for Kids - with Seanna - Ages 4 - 12

(This program also meets at the same time on 13)

Yoga is a gift. It is an uplifting, noncompetitive, mind-expanding, and fun way for children to build strength, spirit, and self-esteem. These classes are designed to help kids develop flexibility, focus, and coordination for a happy, healthy and balanced life. Please have your child wear comfortable clothes. You can have them attend one or both classes. Bring a mat if you have one. Please call 772-6394 to RSVP a spot. Class is limited to 20. Parents are encouraged to read a book or a magazine in the library while the kids are in class!

Thursday, June 20, beginning @ 2:00 p.m., Musician Ivan Ulz

From old time favorites to his own modern classic, "Fire Truck," there is no better way to start the summer than with Ivan, the talented children's songwriter, performer, and educator!

Thursday, June 27, beginning @ 2 p.m. Something Ridiculous Jugglers

Mark Wilder and VonJon are slapstick stuntmen who juggle while on free-standing ladders, seven-foot tall unicycles or atop their partners shoulders. This is something to see to believe! Fun for the whole family!

Saturday, June 15 , 10 a.m. - Noon, North Coast Writer's Club

The North Coast Writer's Club is here to lend support, accountability and encouragement for your writing projects - especially if you are interested in self-publishing. Bring your writing samples. More information: Bert Silva @ 771-9803 or through email.

Books (for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Wednesdays program only) are available for checkout in advance at the Morro Bay Library. The Spring & Summer Series 2013 Booklist which includes the 4th Wednesdays Mystery Readers selections are available for download at Morro Bay Book Discussion Group or at the Library. For more information contact the Group Facilitator, Karen Robert at 225-3131 or email Karen.

The Morro Bay Friends of the Library, which supports the Library, holds regular book sales to raise funds for the library. Friends also provide volunteers to support library services and operations, publish a newsletter distributed four times a year and build and maintain awareness of library needs and services throughout the community. For more information contact Red Davis, the President through email or go to Morro Bay Friends of the Library.

For the comfort of all attending please come fragrance-free to all our programs.

Books (for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Wednesdays program only) are available for checkout in advance at the Morro Bay Library. The Spring Series 2013 Booklist which includes the 4th Wednesdays Mystery Readers selections are available for download at Morro Bay Book Discussion Group or at the Library. For more information contact the Group Facilitator, Karen Robert at 225-3131 or via email.

Morro Bay Friends of the Library holds regular book sales to raise funds for the library. Friends also provide volunteers to support library services and operations, publish a quarterly newsletter and maintain awareness of library needs and services throughout the community. For more information contact Red Davis via email or go to Morro Bay Friends of the Library.

Special to SLO Coast Journal

Morro Bay Friends of Library Kick Off Major Remodeling Campaign

By Robert "Red" Davis

Morro Bay Friends of the Library are kicking off a campaign to raise funds for the upgrading and remodeling of the city's library building.

A crowd of nearly 500 attended a community open house on April 14 at the library, where project architect Shana Reiss answered questions as she unveiled floor plans and computer renderings of the new library interior. Those plans are now on display in the lobby of the Morro Bay Library, at the corner of Harbor Street and Shasta Avenue.

The project began taking shape last year when the Friends of the Library met with city and county officials and received approval to move forward. The plan will unify the interior space within the footprint of the existing building to create a welcoming, open, flexible and technologically current library that reflects our community.

County Library Director Brian Reynolds chose two county library employees to be on remodel committee. Melody Mullis and Jackie Kinsey, branch manager of the Morro Bay Library, helped choose the architect, and they will continue to provide input and share their knowledge and expertise.
The proposed floor plan creates a new, expanded children's area and quiet reading space, as well as opening up and unifying the interior. This will provide about 30% more useable space without requiring additional staff.

The remodel is not a facelift; it is an extensive rehabilitation of the entire facility. The building is almost 30 years old, and all mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems need upgrading to bring the library into compliance with current regulations. The project also will ensure that the library is ready for the future and able to support new technology.

Reiss, the architect,  is a Cal Poly graduate based in Paso Robles. She is accredited by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and has extensive experience with green design principles and the creation of environmentally friendly spaces. Brummel Mechanical Engineering and Heather Gray from GECE consulted on the updated mechanical and electrical systems that will be incorporated in the new design.
Cost of the project is estimated at $500,000, and available funds are already well past the halfway mark. The Friends of the Library have preserved and grown all donations from past fundraising campaigns and now have more than $300,000 in the bank ready to put toward this remodel.

During past campaigns to improve the library, lease restrictions then in effect made it impossible to use the entire interior space for library services, materials and programs. That is no longer the case.

The County has agreed to pay for necessary ADA upgrades and the main Information Desk.  All other additional funding will come from the community and is being raised by the Friends.

The Morro Bay Library is the only branch in the San Luis Obispo County library system built by the community. The Friends of the Library can proudly say that all members of their board of directors have contributed to the remodel fund as they reach out and ask members of the community to do the same.

To be part of making the Morro Bay Library the upgraded facility the community needs and wants, visit the library to see the plans or go to Morro Bay Friends of the Library to make a donation.

Pipevine Swallowtail Image on Banner by Jerry Kirkhart