February Library Closures

On Monday, February 9, 2009, the Buena Park Library District will be closed to the public due to Staff Development Day activities. The Library will resume regular hours, Tuesday, February 10, 2009, opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m.

The Library will also be closed on Monday, February 16, 2009, in recognition of the Presidents' Day holiday, resuming normal hours Tuesday, February 17, 2009, opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m.

The Buena Park Library Goes "Batty"

Pictured above: Blue Bat and Library Director, Louise Mazerov

The Buena Park Library goes “batty” with special bat-themed storytimes the week of January 26, 2009, through January 29, 2009, in honor of its guest, “Blue Bat.” The Buena Park Library is one of only 25 libraries nationwide chosen to be on Blue Bat’s tour. The Library is located at 7150 La Palma Avenue in Buena Park, between Knott and Western Avenues. Storytimes are Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 11:00 a.m. and Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

Blue Bat is one of three handmade, stuffed “book bats” created by Brian Lies, the author and illustrator of “Bats at the Library.” Blue Bat is traveling in his special “steamer trunk” with his own passport and a copy of the book. According to Lies, “Bats at the Library” and the “Bat to Basics” Tour is meant to remind people that “they can go ‘bat’ to the basics – simple, inexpensive entertainment, such as the joy of getting lost within the pages of a book.” The author has loved libraries and books since he was little, and when he travels, he rarely misses an opportunity to explore the local library. The author states, “Things are tough right now. The economy is in rough shape, and people are looking for cost-effective things to do with the family. What’s better than free? … Books, DVDs, magazines, newspapers. All free. The only thing you have to do is promise to bring stuff back.”

When he is not visiting storytimes, Blue Bat will be in his “Bat Cave” in the Childrens’ Room. Stop by and visit him. 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 Childrens’ Room at 714-826-4100, ext. 126.

Creole Portraits by LeDOUX on Display at the Buena Park Library District

Portrait of A.P. Tureaud
by LeDOUX

Currently on display at the Buena Park Library are the portraits of Creole men and women, rendered in pencil and charcoal on paper, by the artist LeDOUX. His work is on display in the Library lobby until February 28, 2009. The Library is located at 7150 La Palma Avenue in Buena Park, between Knott and Western Avenues.

LeDOUX's career has spanned the fashion industry as a designer and a business owner. He has imparted his knowledge and experience in the fashion industry as a lecturer at fashion schools and colleges in the Los Angeles area. Mr. LeDOUX's interest in his Creole culture and genealogy has influenced the portraits presented in this exhibit.

There are many definitions of the term "Creole" and the meaning has changed through the centuries. It originally referred to anyone born in the French and Spanish colonies of the Caribbean and Gulf Coast of North America, regardless of race. Later, after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, it was used to differentiate between those native to Louisiana and the Anglo-American newcomers. Today, the term Creole often refers to a mixture of French or Spanish, African, and Native Indian culture. Creoles can be found in Haiti, Cuba, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. In the United States, the Creole community is concentrated in Louisiana. They developed a distinct identity and culture, especially in language, food, religious practices, and architecture (as seen in the French Quarter of New Orleans).

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.

In Stitches -- A Knitting and Crocheting Group

The first meeting of our In Stitches group was held on January 8th, 2009 and we started working on our first charity project, which will be a WarmUpAmerica! afghan (made of 7" x 9" squares) to be given to a local Buena Park charitable group.

Our next meeting will be on February 12, 2009 (Thursday) from 2-4 PM in the Board Room on the 2nd floor of the Library.

If you can't make the meetings, but would still like to contribute to our project -- please stop by the reference desk to get the directions for crocheted or knitted squares. The patterns can also be found online at the WarmUpAmerica! site. We do have some donated yarn left that we can give out until it's gone. Or you can choose your own yarn. Currently the colors we are using are a dark blue, medium blue, and light blue (or any color that would complement that color scheme) of 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn.

Squares can be dropped off anytime to the reference desk or at our monthly meeting. The group is open to the idea of working on other charity projects in the future, some things that have been mentioned are preemie caps, chemo caps, knitting for the troops.... Please join us!

For further information please contact Phyllis or Chris at 714-826-4100 x 125

Holiday Closure -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- Monday, Jan 19th

The Buena Park Library District will be closed on Monday, January 19th, 2009, in observation of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, January 20th.

Volunteer Guild Bookstore 99 Cent Sale

Ring in 2009 with the 99 cent sale in the Volunteer Guild Bookstore of the Buena Park Library. Beginning Monday, January 12, 2009, the Volunteer Guild Bookstore will have EVERYTHING ON SALE FOR 99 CENTS or less. You can apply the discount to their large selection of books, audio books, music CDs and much more! This sale lasts through Saturday, January 17, 2009, but don't wait until the last minute to get the best bargains ever! Come early for the best selection! Cash will be the only accepted method of payment. Sale proceeds will benefit the Volunteer Guild, which generously funds Buena Park Library programs and services.

The Guild Bookstore is on the 2nd floor of the Library, located at 7150 La Palma Avenue in Buena Park, between Knott and Western Avenues. The Bookstore hours are Monday through Wednesday from noon to 6 PM, Thursdays from noon to 7:30 PM, Fridays from noon to 3 PM, and Saturdays from noon to 4:30 PM. For further information, please contact Luann O'Hara, Bookstore Manager and President of the Volunteer Guild, 714-826-4100 x123.