Newsletter August 2024

 Children’s Top 3 for August

School is around the corner and our summer reading program has ended, but the fun doesn’t stop at the library! Here are our top three programs for August:

Take your reading outside with our new Tale Trail. Thanks to the First Partner Book to Action funding opportunity, the Mission Viejo Library purchased new mobile Tale Trail stands. Help us celebrate this acquisition by attending the Summer Tale Trail Soiree on Friday, August 9. The program will take place outside the library in The Kershaw Garden from 5-7 pm. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy free books, games, and interactive storytimes along the Tale Trail. No registration necessary.

Beat the heat and socialize with other kids at our Tween Board Game Night. Stop by our Storytime room at 6:30 am Thursday, August 17 for a fun and chill night of gaming. Bring your own favorite boardgames to share or try one from our library’s collection. This program is free and does not require registration.

On Saturday, August 31, build up your child’s confidence with the help of a furry friend. Kids are invited to strengthen their read-aloud skills by reading to Fiona, a trained therapy dog. Bring a book from home or grab one from the library. Paw Readathon is for age 6 and older, and space is limited. Contact libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org to sign up.

 

 New Mission Viejo community cookbook now available

Library staff in January embarked on an ambitious grant project – the creation of a community cookbook called “Mission Viejo: Our Stories, Our Food.”  The grant project, supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian, was comprised of many parts and took several months to complete. Community members were invited to submit beloved family recipes and their stories for consideration in the cookbook. They also had the opportunity to create their own recipe binder as well as attend a free writing workshop led by local writer Cassandra Rendon on crafting their personal narrative. Those selected for inclusion in the community cookbook had their dish professionally photographed by Mission Viejo photographer Karen Osato. The culmination of the grant project included an exhibit at the Norman P. Murray Community Center showcasing the cookbook’s content for the community, with an exhibit reception held in June. The English print version of the cookbook was unveiled at the reception. English, Spanish and Farsi print versions will be available for check out from the Mission Viejo Library later this summer. 

The Friends of the Mission Viejo Library generously purchased 100 copies of the cookbook that are available for $25 at the Friends Bookstore. Located inside the lobby, the bookstore is open Monday through Thursday from 10 am-6 pm; Friday from 1- 4:30 pm; and Saturday from 10 am-4 pm. It is closed on Sundays. All proceeds benefit library programming and collections. “Mission Viejo: Our Stories, Our Food” is not your typical community cookbook. The family stories and tasty recipes showcase the vibrant cultures that comprise our beloved City.

 

 Let’s Go Digital meets on a new day and time

Monthly drop-in sessions meet every first Sunday from noon to 1 pm for library-related electronic resources. Bring your mobile devices, passwords for the app store, and receive one-on-one assistance with all the online resources the library offers. We will set you up with digital books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, music, and more. 

Join us on August 4 from noon to 1 pm in the periodicals area at the library. For more information, email libreference@cityofmissionviejo.org. 

 

Mission Viejo Library Writers Group is accepting new members

We have openings for the Saturday morning and Monday evening sessions of the monthly Mission Viejo Library Writers Group. These 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 publish in April 2025. Plans are underway to open the submission process to non-group members from South Orange County. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.

You are invited to join a Mission Viejo Library Writers Group session. The group meets on the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to noon and the second Monday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Registration is required, and the program is for adults 18 and older. To register or enquire, contact libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.

 

Fiero Code e-learning platform now available

Exciting news for all aspiring coders and tech enthusiasts: The Mission Viejo Library is thrilled to introduce Fiero Code, an innovative e-learning platform designed to turn you into a coding pro. Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to enhance your skills, Fiero Code offers a comprehensive curriculum in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and more. It is gamified, self-paced, and perfect for all ages—from kids to adults. Start your coding adventure today and unlock endless possibilities.

 

Video game consoles available for check out

Mission Viejo Library has implemented a new pilot program that lets patrons check out video game consoles. Patrons 18 and older with a library card (in good standing) can borrow a PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch for four weeks. Do not forget to check out our growing collection of video games from Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft including “Star Wars: Jedi Survivor,” “Helldivers II,” and “Princess Peach: Showtime.”

 

Beginning Genealogy Class

It is the perfect time to learn more about you and your ancestors. If you have been wondering how to get started with your family research, register to attend our Beginning Genealogy class presented by the South Orange County California Genealogical Society. 

This class will help you realize the abundant resources that are available to help you trace your family back through generations. Learn about the best tools, resources, and methods for discovering your roots. No prior experience is required. Register before the class is full. 

This single-session class is from 5:30-7:30 pm via Zoom on Thursday, August 15. Learn more about this free class and register here.

 

‘Applying the Principle of 3 to Genealogy Research’ with Jean Wilcox Hibben

Throughout history, religion, folklore and daily life, there is a reliance on the “Principle of 3” – how things occur in groups of three, using three reasons of example to prove a point and relying on three pieces of evidence to support a claim. However, is three enough when doing genealogical research? Join expert Jean Wilcox Hibben in a discussion about using exhaustive search to prove ancestral conclusions at 10 am on Saturday, August 17. 

Jean is a national speaker and author. A member of Daughters of the American Revolution, she is the former director and current family history consultant for the Corona, California FamilySearch Center. She has worked on background research for two genealogy television programs and was a host for podcasts on social history. Jean is a former board-certified genealogist with more than 45 years of research experience.

This free presentation takes place at the Mission Viejo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 27976 Marguerite Parkway. No registration necessary.

The South Orange County California Genealogy Research Center located at the Mission Viejo Library is open five days a week with docents available to help you. Visit https://soccgs.org/library-hours for current hours.