Follow the "Yellow Brick Road" to the Buena Park Library District

"The Wizard of Oz" was originally published in 1900. It premiered as a movie in 1939 starring Judy Garland. This timeless story still captures the imagination of people throughout the world. Ruben Ramirez began collecting "Wizard of Oz" memorabilia four years ago. You can see part of Ramirez's extensive collection on display at the Buena Park Library District in the Library’s lobby and is here now through the end of December 2007. The Library is located at 7150 La Palma Avenue in Buena Park, between Knott and Western Avenues.

Ramirez kicked off his display on November 6, 2007 by displaying some of his larger pieces on the Library's Main Floor. There were posters signed by some of the original Munchkins, costumes, trading cards and headshots of Judy Garland. Currently on display in the Library are Christmas ornaments, books, stamps, lunchboxes, sculptures and dolls. Many of the items are gifts that friends and family have given Ruben over the years. In his spare time, Ramirez likes to do crafts and his workmanship shines with a pair of handcrafted ruby-slippers.

The Library also has a large selection of "Oz" books written by L. Frank Baum on display and ready to check out. So drop in on the Library (no twister needed) and admire a perennial favorite. Don't make us get the flying monkeys!

The Buena Park Library is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For information, please call the Reference Desk at 714-826-4100, ext. 125.

Volunteer Guild Bookstore -- Members Only Double Discount Sale, Saturday, Dec. 15

The Volunteer Guild Bookstore, located on the 2nd floor of the Buena Park Library District, 7150 La Palma Avenue, is offering a few hours of unbridled joy for Volunteer Guild members at very reasonable prices. This annual special sales event will be held Saturday, December 15, 2007 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Guild’s second floor bookstore. Tables full of donations, including a large selection of audio books, music CDs and cassettes, music LPs, VHS movies, magazines, Christmas themed books of all kinds, and a ton of fiction and non-fiction titles will be on display for perusal and purchase. Come early for best selection!

Non-members can take this opportunity to purchase a membership for only $5.00 for a year’s worth of savings! If you remain a non-member, though, you will pay regular bookstore prices … which are still the best in town.

Also available at this sale is the 2008 Orange County edition of the Entertainment Books for $35.00, which is chock-full of discounts and coupons for a number of events and eateries all over Orange County. A limited number are still available, but call ahead and be sure that you can purchase one for that certain someone who has everything!

For further information, please contact the Bookstore at (714) 826-4100, x123.

Thanksgiving Closure Hours for the Library and the Bookstore

The Buena Park Library District will be closed on Thursday and Friday, (November 22 and 23) in recognition of Thanksgiving, and will be resuming normal hours on Saturday, November 24, opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m.

The Volunteer Guild's Bookstore will be closed from Monday through Saturday (November 19-24) and reopen for normal hours on Monday, November 26th.

Apply for your U.S. Passport at the Buena Park Library

Planning to travel soon? Apply for your passport now! Take advantage of the Buena Park Library District’s convenient Passport Application Services, located at 7150 La Palma Ave., between Knott and Western Avenues in Buena Park. Passport Application Acceptance Hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Fall is traditionally the “low season” for passport applications making it the best time to apply. Currently, processing routine applications is taking four to six weeks and expedited applications are being processed within three weeks. The new International travel rules have increased the need for United States Passports. All persons traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are now required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

When applying for your passport you will need to bring proof of U.S. citizenship such as a certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate or previous U.S. Passport and proof of identity, such as a state issued driver’s license or Identification card. You will also need two identical passport photos. Passport Photos are available at the Library for $10.00. Passport application forms are also available at the Library. The cost of a passport is $97.00 for adults (16 & older) and $82.00 for children under 16. This cost includes a $30.00 execution fee set by the U.S. Congress that is paid to the Acceptance Agency which becomes an additional revenue source for the Library.

For more information and details, call the Library at (714) 826-4100 or visit the passports page on our website . You may also refer to the U.S. Department of State website for application forms, information on documentation required, fees and a wealth of other passport and international information.