Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The Buena Park Library Receives Grant for Multicultural Program "Telling Stories"

The Buena Park Library recently received a mini-grant from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation for a multicultural family program called "Telling Stories". Families with children of all ages will have the opportunity to tell their story through art. All materials are provided, but families can bring in pictures and other mementos to make their story more personal.

“Telling Stories” will begin at 2:30 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Buena Park Library. Participants are encouraged to sign up as space is limited and should plan to attend the four Saturday sessions in March. For more information or to sign up, please contact the Childrens Desk at 714.826.4100 x126.

This is a great way to bring parents and children together to teach them how to share their stories using art. Regardless of someone’s writing or English-speaking ability, they can use art to tell about their experiences. Each participant shares a story from his/her history and culture on a felt square. As the squares are sewn together, so are the lives of those who made them. “There will also be storytelling of folktales from different cultures so it’s a storytime and crafts for the WHOLE family,” according to Mary Ivelia, Childrens Specialist.

At the final class, the families all come together to sew the "Stories" to create a quilt or several mini-quilts that will be presented at the annual Childrens Art Festival in April 2009 at the Buena Park Recreation Center.

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation is known for its pioneering support of bookmaking programs, portrait projects, book festivals, libraries, mural projects throughout all of the United States, as well as emerging authors and illustrators of children's books. For more information about the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, please visit their website at www.ezra-jack-keats.org.

The Buena Park Library District is located at 7150 La Palma Ave, Buena Park, CA. The Library has over 6,000 visitors per week and lends out 500,000 books, DVDs, audiobooks and music CDs per year. For more information, please call the library at 714.826.4100 x125, or visit our virtual branch at www.buenaparklibrary.org. 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.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Buena Park Library Reduces Budget Without Reducing Service

On Tuesday, February 3, the Buena Park Library District Board of Trustees approved the last of a series of mid-year budget reductions. These reductions are necessary due to reduced revenues during the current economic crisis.
“We have concentrated on making adjustments that would not reduce the hours we are open or the services we provide,” stated Board President Bob Niccum. This included a decision by the Library Board to reduce employee benefits and to require that employees take four regularly scheduled holidays without pay in the next fiscal year as well as the remaining two holidays in this fiscal year (President’s Day and Memorial Day). These budget cutting decisions began with a special meeting of the Board on January 20.

“As the economy worsens the busier we get at the Library,” reports Library Director Louise Mazerov. “People need us more than ever as they cope with job losses and reduced income. The Library provides resources that can be used to update resumes, improve interview skills and identify potential employers. People also come in for books, CDs and DVDs for relaxation and entertainment. In addition the Library has programs for children and teens that are free.”

“The Board deeply regrets having to reduce pay and benefits for our employees, because they are the most valuable resource our library has,” Niccum added. “But we chose cuts that best balance service to our patrons and fairness to our staff.

The Library’s schedule and additional information can be found at www.buenaparklibrary.org. Please contact the Library Director at 714-826-4100 x121 with any questions.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Volunteer Guild Bookstore Holds Sweetheart-of-a-Deal Sale

The Volunteer Guild Bookstore of the Buena Park Library is offering a few hours of unbridled joy for book lovers at a very reasonable price. On Saturday, February 14, they will hold their Sweetheart-of-a-Deal Sale in front of the Volunteer Guild Bookstore on the 2nd floor of the Library at 7150 La Palma Avenue from 10 AM to 2 PM. Tables full of donations will be on display for perusal and purchase, and everything on those tables will be 50 cents. Come early for the best selection!

The Sweetheart-of-a-Deal Sale will include fiction and non-fiction, paperback and hardcover, magazines, videos/DVDs, audiobooks and plenty of children's books. Cash will be the only accepted method of payment. All Guild proceeds are used to generously fund and support Library programs and collections.

For further information, please contact Luann O'-Hara, Bookstore Manager and President of the Volunteer Guild, 714-826-4100, ext. 123.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

It's February and Romance is in the Air at The Buena Park Library District

In recognition of February as Library Lover's Month, the annual Volunteer Guild's Romance Paperback Sale is here! Starting Tuesday, February 10th and ending Saturday, February 21st, come by and spend some time and money and take advantage of BUY ONE GET ONE FREE in Romance Paperbacks and all media-sized (4"x6") paperbacks. Come early for the best selection!

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. All Guild proceeds are used to generously fund and support Library programs and collections.

For further information about this and other upcoming sales, please call the Guild Bookstore at 714-826-4100 ext. 123.