Newsletter December 2024
Children’s Top 3 for December
Did you know that our librarians are such good friends with Santa that he’s invited us to his workshop? Come visit Santa at The Shops at Mission Viejo and enjoy a special storytime before you tell him how good you have been all year long! These free storytimes take place at 11 am on December 4 and 11.
If the mall is too much for your child, we have you covered. Santa is also stopping by for our Sensory Santa Meet & Greet! The whole family is welcome to this event on December 14 at 10:30 am. To signup, visit https://www.cityofmissionviejo.org/events/sensory-storytime-3-12-22.
Is your child lacking confidence in reading or needs more practice? Reading Buddies can help! Sign your child up for 30 minutes of one-on-one reading tutoring with passionate volunteers. Reading Buddies happens every Thursday in the children’s area of the library from 3:30-5:30 pm. This free program is for kids 6 and older. To reserve a spot, email libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Pride and Penmanship, or Pens and Sensibility
Part of the Jane Austen series of programs, this event will give us a chance to share stories about meaningful letters we have received in the past and to practice the lost art of letter writing as found in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility.” Stationery and writing utensils will be provided. (This is not a calligraphy class.)
Pens and Sensibility takes place in the Mission Viejo Library’s Friends Storytime Room on Saturday, December 7 from 5:30-7 pm. This free program is open to adults 18 and older and registration is required. Participants must register by visiting https://cityofmissionviejo.libcal.com/event/12973179.
Miniature Painting Workshop for Beginners
Aspiring artists: listen up! Have you wanted to join the community of miniature painters but are not sure where to start? If so, this program is for you!
This workshop introduces basic techniques for painting tabletop miniatures using base, shade and layer paints.
The workshop is open to people 14 and older and takes place December 9, January 13 and February 10 from 6-8 pm at the Potocki Center for the Arts. Seats are limited, so be sure to sign up for one or all three dates. Register online at December 9 / January 13 / February 10
The Potocki Center for the Arts is located at 27301 La Paz Road.
Jane Austen Holiday Ball
Dearest Reader,
The ballroom doors are opening again at last! Celebrate the holidays and prolific Jane Austen at our Jane Austen Holiday Ball. Come dressed in your festive finest or regency best and dance the night away like Lizzie and Emma.
While there will be dance instruction at the ball, we are also expanding the merriment with a free dance class on Monday, December 9 at 6:30 pm. Join us in the Sycamore Room at the Norman P. Murray Community Center to preview the dances at the ball and gain more confidence on the dance floor.
Doors for the ball open at 6 pm on Friday, December 13 at the Norman P. Murray Community Center. Enjoy dancing, crafts, refreshments and more! Whether you are an avid reader of Austen, a lover of the movies or just want to escape for an evening of merriment, you are sincerely welcome.
The Norman P. Murray Community Center is located at 24932 Veterans Way.
Give a tribute donation this holiday season
Looking to honor, memorialize or celebrate someone special this holiday season? The Friends of the Mission Viejo library can help you cross that item off your to-do list.
The Friends of the Mission Viejo Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax-deductible and directly support the library’s collection and event programming. Monetary donations of all sizes are accepted and can be made via cash, check, credit card, and PayPal. To get started, print and fill out the Tribute Form and return it to the Friends. For more information on donating to the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library visit the donation page.
New Year, new volunteer opportunities!
Volunteers are sought in 2025 for the Friends Bookstore and Amazon book sales.
If you love books and enjoy researching their history and values, consider volunteering as a bookstore sorter in the Friends’ bookstore. Duties include evaluating donated books for condition, publication date, and current value; pricing books; weeding and re-stocking shelves; and preparing books for special sale or storage. Having a strong interest in literature or library experience is a plus. Sorters should have basic computer skills to research items on the internet, be able to follow policies and procedures, and to organize work quickly and efficiently. Physical requirements include being able to lift and carry 20 pounds, and push/pull carts weighing up to 40 pounds. We have multiple openings for three-hour shifts during weekdays or on Saturday. Training over a two-month period is mandatory for all new sorter volunteers.
If you are computer literate, detail oriented, and familiar with the Amazon Seller website, consider applying as a Friends’ Amazon volunteer. Duties include navigating the Amazon Seller website to determine the value of a book, listing detailed descriptions of books for sale, responding to customer and prospective buyer inquiries with informative and concise responses and being able to work alone on the project after training. Shifts available include Tuesday afternoon or evening, Wednesday morning, Saturday afternoon or Sunday. Amazon Seller shifts are two hours in length.
If you are interested in one of these volunteer opportunities, contact Sandy Brimer, Library & Cultural Services Volunteer Coordinator, at LibVolunteer@cityofmissionviejo.org or 949-470-8488 for a volunteer application.
The Mission Viejo Library Writers Group continues to accept new members
Openings are available for the monthly Mission Viejo Library Writers Group sessions for both Saturday morning and (especially) Monday evening. These monthly sessions are focused on sharpening writing skills by applying a gentle but effective critique method facilitated by members of the Southern California Writers Group.
Members of the Mission Viejo Library Writers Group are currently working on submissions for an anthology to be published in April 2025. While the anthology is open to all adult Orange County residents, writers group members are allowed certain benefits including more allowable submissions. Contact libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org to request a copy of the submission guidelines. Only those who have requested and received the guidelines by email can submit to the anthology. No “over-the-transom” submissions will be accepted. Be sure to include your town/city of residence in the email request. The submission deadline for the anthology is December 31.
Why not commit to one of our Mission Viejo Library Writers Group sessions? We meet at the library on the first Saturday of the month from 10 am-noon, and the second Monday of the month from 6:30-8:30 pm. Registration is required, and the program is restricted to Orange County adults 18 and older. To register or for more information, contact libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.
Local History Display – Presentation of the ‘Rafter M’ Brand
The Local History display for December features the original presentation plaque from March 1976 of the “Rafter M” brand used by Rancho Mission Viejo. The O’Neill Family presented the “Rafter M” brand plaque to a group associated with the Mission Viejo Company. The O’Neill family owned the ranch land on which the City of Mission Viejo now sits, and the brand symbol can be seen throughout the City in various forms.
When you venture into the library, check out the display in the southeast corner of the south wing. This display of the “Rafter M” brand will continue until the end of December, so be sure to see what it’s all about.