Golden Memories

50 years of library visits

Lorraine O'Donnell:

"I first started coming to the library in 1969 while employed at UCI. Even then, I liked its quiet friendly atmosphere. Throughout the years, I have been rewarded by the willingness and enthusiasm of the staff to assist in obtaining my somewhat esoteric requests. We have even shared books that we thought were good reading.

I don't remember everyone's names but there are a few who are particularly special to me. Each in their individual way has brought something special to the library.

I am now in my eighties and I look back on all your kindness over the past 40 years with appreciation to all of you. May this small library bring comfort and great reading to the people in this community for another 50 years."

City Council Member Nancy Gardner writes:

"I remember a conversation with the librarian at what was then the new CdM branch. I was fifteen and reading "Catcher in the Rye," and she asked me what I thought of it. I said that all my friends thought it was so funny, but I thought it was sad. She said she thought it was sad, too, and that gave me a lot of confidence in my own critical judgment which was probably why I became an English major in college."

Library philanthropist Elizabeth Stahr:

"We moved into our house in Corona del Mar on July 1st, 1972. At that time, my youngest daughter, Karen, was reading 25 books a week. She had taught herself how to read on Sesame Street and then turned it off and just read. The day that we moved into our house, the carpenters, plumbers, painters, and carpet installers were all still working but Karen came to me and said, 'I must go to the library.' My answer was, 'we will not get there today, but here is the encyclopedia, read that' and she did. So the next day we found the Corona del Mar library long before I located a grocery store or post office.

We had moved here from Arcadia where the race track had built the library and I was dismayed at the small size of the CDM Branch. But it was close to our house, homey, and the librarian quickly got to know Karen and helped her select books. Karen remembers that she would check out more books than her arms could carry!

The library also kept increasing the number of books at her level of reading so it kept ahead of her in volume of what we needed. I remember that when she started the first grade at CDM Elementary (no longer there), the teacher would put a group of children around her and let her read out loud to them!

The library was more important than the beach, harbor, tennis club and even church for where we could live. All four of my children are readers and still are today. One son is an author and when asked why he decided to write a book, his answer is 'my mother took us to the library every other day when we were growing up and I felt that I could write something worthy to have other people read too.' If children are exposed to quantities of books, they really educate themselves. And the library must have easy access and organization of the books. The small size of CDM has those qualities.

It is my hope that the Corona del Mar Branch will continue to provide young families with books, programs and the staff to help us all for many years to come!

My husband and I took the responsibility to raise the money to build the Central Library in 1989 because of the importance of having enough books available for young children in Newport Beach. So it is thanks to the Corona del Mar Branch in the early 1970’s that we have our wonderful library for us all to use today."

Linda F. :

"I have lived in Corona del Mar since 1974. When my son was small we walked to this wonderful library very often. He is now 37 years old and I believe his love of books began there.

Thank you for 50 years. I now bring my grandchildren here to begin another journey into the world of reading."

Yvonne Leonard:

"I first came to Corona del Mar when I graduated from high school and immediately fell in love with 'Crown by the Sea'. This love has endured for over 60 years.

One of the many pleasures and traditions of this quaint village is the wonderful, intimate 'little' library on Marigold.

I have immensely enjoyed the excellent services and also my father who lived in C.D.M. for over 60 years; my two dauthers who started going to the 'little' library since they were very young. Their intense love for reading has now been instilled in their own children. Over the years there has been changes in the demography of CDM with many young families. This makes the role of the library even more significant, and for the older resident able to walk to the library.

Over the years I have seen many librarians but no one has been like Haidee. She is extremely professional, efficient, polite, pleasant--there is not enough I can say about her excellent work standards and her kind compassionate manner dealing with everyone."

Captain Jim:

"I spend the summers in CDM.

I love the town for years and the Library is my main base of all I do.

The people who work there are the best--with personal touch to us all."

This library is indeed golden--if not platinum!
David C. Weber:

"For the eight years that my wife and I have lived off of Marguerite in the Jasmine Creek Community Association, this free branch library has been a gold mine for our leisure reading and even for research projects. The library continues to be a major cultural and educational asset to the city and an instrument of singular importance to its residents.

It is a pleasure to see and be greeted by the capable staff. They are marvelously helpful and efficient. Several times they have processed my interlibrary loan request for some antiquated research on which I was working, and the librarian kept me up to date as the search for a lendable copy was being pursued through the network of libraries nationwide--to a successful conclusion. What a great reward for living here and being able to walk to this branch library and be helped by its great staff.

Any library is a team effort of residents, city officials, volunteers in several capacities, all of whom aid in forming the collections and services and achieving the necessary building to accomodate them. Reading of former City Librarian Dorothea Wilson Sheely, I recently learned that in 1947 she recognized the strong growth of population and business in the young village of Corona del Mar. So she ‘was determined to have a branch library in Corona del Mar.’ That October a small library station on the corner of Goldenrod and Pacific Coast Highway was opened in a cluster of shops. The library paid $45 rent for use of the shop. After expansion next door, the library Board hired a person paid all of $0.80 an hour for service five days a week. Then, temporarily, it was seated on the corner of Dahlia, until in 1959 the building on Marigold became home.

This building is notable in that it was financed 80% by donations from residents and a generous gift of library trustee Dorothy Harry. It grew. It has thrived. It has been beloved and treasured. Thank you all."

Sandy W. :

"I remember my son's face as he was so happy to win prizes from the summer reading program. One summer he won a big stuffed snake and we took it to Ruby's restaurant and shared his happiness about the program. Other people wanted to sign their children up too!"

Cody Herman:

"Last year, when I signed up for the first time it was the best library there was in all of OC. The prizes were the best of the best. There was one prize that I loved. Guess what it was? A stuffed animal snake. I was shocked when I got it. I will always keep that snake I loved so much."

A. Krishnan:

"My memory is a Christmas Walk magic show at the library. The magician "borrowed" my 4 year old's ring and pretended to smash it. She started crying, still held a grudge even when he returned it in pristine condition."

M. Cini:

"I have been coming to CDM library for 18 years, every since I moved to California. Initially I came as the library was located in a beach-side community.

WHat has kept me returning to the library is the friendliness of the staff. They know their patrons by name and always have a good read to suggest. There is no better reason I need to choose CDM as one of my favorite libraries.

Thankfully the board reconsidered its decision to close this branch. I hope other enjoy the library as much as I do."

Susan Giangrande:

"My dad did a lot of business traveling when I was a child. As a treat, my mom would take my sisters and me to the CdM branch when he was out of town. We'd pick out library books and then get to go out to dinner at the Coco's Restaurant around the corner from the library. My sisters and I always participated in the summer reading programs, too. The library is a fun part of my childhood memories."

Jillian & Paul Glowienke:

"The library that lives on Marigold
Was once told it was time to fold.
The patrons said "No!"
The staff wouldn't go
And voices cried out "let's be bold."

We knocked on doors for hours
From Hazel on north through the flowers,
Will you sign our petition
Asking the library commission
To keep the Village branch ours?

We pleaded our case to the City
Representing a citizen's committee.
We came out in force
And thus changed their course
Which allows us to write this ditty.

This "gem of a library" draws cheers
For its staff and volunteers.
The jewels of the story
Are Haidee, Janice and Laurie.
Congrats on the FIRST 50 years!"

Semone Gane:

"My best memory is summer reading program of July 28, 09 that library had Wild Wonders Show and my children and me could not see the show in Central branch. So we decided to come to Corona del Mar branch library. The program was great, we enjoyed it a lot and checked out some movies, music CDs and books."

Nima Gane:

"I like on computer Hockey Showdown because I sometimes win and sometimes loss. I like to shoot and save the puck. I like Wild Wonders. I like it when I touch the turtle."

Logan Vasterling (age 5):

"I remember last summer I entered the Catch the Reading Bug contest and I had my caterpillar costume on. I had fun."

Jeanne Rees:

"I have been walking to Corona del Mar Library for many years, thirty plus, I think. It has always been a friendly and open place.

As I read all the time, it is a place I come often. What would we do without it?"

Judy Kelly:

"I remember the many changes of the building, the staff and even the library cot that I have seen over the past 20 years. First as an NBPL employee and now as library user. I love the new library and all the changes and the open look and feeling."e;

Edward Salkin:

"My first visit to the CDM Library was in 1979 when I purchased a home in the town. The home is filled with books old and new as I am an avid bibliophile. The library is quite convenient and the staff was always friendly and helpful. Being born and raised in Los Angeles I've always enjoyed books, so it was in Jr. and High School that I worked as a page at the Angeles Mesa Library near 54th Street and on 5th Ave. across from the Angeles Mesa Grade School.

I shall look forward to the next 50 years celebration."e;

Karen Carlson:

"Libraries are one of my fondest and most constant memories from childhood. Going with my father to check out books was such a special time. For the past 40 years the Corona del Mar branch library has been ‘home’ for our family. Both my children spent hours for fun and education here. And now I love getting picture books to share with my grandchildren. Every time when I get out of the car on a visit to them they say ‘...did you bring books?’ Already training a new generation of readers and current library patrons!!"

Susan Hirsch, President, Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library:

"My memory as a new volunteer for the Friends of the Newport Beach Library, one of my tasks was to run over and drop off posters and bookmarks for the booksale. The new improved library is spacious and lovely. Everyone did a great job! Thank you for all the hard work!"

Nancy Phelps:

"I remember the day the Library opened, I came with my two little girls, Hilarie and Hayden. Years later, I brought my grandchildren to the library. I am grateful to have had the library as a steady source of pleasure in my life."

June Lee Pilsitz:

"There's a memorial sculpture of seagulls in flight just beside the front entrance to the CDM branch. ‘To the youth of Corona del Mar in memory of Molly McClintock.’ 2009 is the 50th Anniversary of the CDM branch, and it's also the 50th reunion year of Newport Harbor (Union) High School. Molly and I were classmates, graduating in 1959 and along with others, going out into the world. Molly was tragically killed in an automobile accident a year after graduation. We'll be remembering her, bright and beautiful and forever young."

Nancy Acone:

"In the early 70's I would bring my 5 year old son Jonathan to the library to select books. He was limited to six books and each time he would insist on more. When finally we narrowed it down, he would always take home a book on dinosaurs and ‘The Ant and the Bee.’ Recently I gave him a copy for his birthday and he was delighted, but said that it was a different one in the series. He still remembers the exact book and the pleasure he obtained from it. He is a great reader, focusing more on history, but his early reading experiences set a lifetime pattern."

Lucille Kuehn:

"There are so many wonderful pleasant memories, wonderful staff, always helpful, great resources and a library beginning experience for my children. The library has been like a community center in Corona del Mar--where you can always meet someone who shares your values.

I was here when it opened--what a great addition to our CDM enrichment of life. Many thanks."

Angelina (age 5) and Alana (age 3 and a half) Kirwan:

"All the storytimes, and seeing the ‘Wild Wonders.’ So exciting. All the videos and children's book are are FANTASTIC!!"

Stephanie von Meetern:

"I grew up in Corona del Mar--35 years ago--and loved coming here as a child! Back then, I was able to walk across PCH by myself--it was a 2 lane highway--and I was 9 years old. The library is and always has been an amazing asset to our community. It creates a community. Presently, my 5 year old daughter and I come several times a week and benefit greatly from all the CDM library has to offer. Thank you to all of the library's fabulous staff!"

Lorraine Chambers:

"Happy Birthday CDM Library! Time flies while you are having fun and I've had some fun these past 20 years as a patron (and one-time Page at the Central Library). My children grew up to storytimes at CDM to escape the heat where we lived at UC Irvine. We loved the librarians--like Jana and Haidee. I've made friends of patrons whom I still see driving around town or catching a bus. I grew up as a library fan to escape the heat in Rosemead (San Gabriel Valley) L.A. So to live by the beach and go to a library too is heaven on earth. Every late fine I ever paid was worth it!"

Laura Palitz:

"Hello! This beautiful little and very special library is a landmark of this beautiful city. For many years I have enjoyed bringing my (then) very small children to the evening ‘storytime.’ Here we would come to listen to stories and make new friends from our community. Afterward we would take books and videos home to enjoy. Each week we would return to the library for our childhood ritual."

Yudi, Logan and Olivia:

"I came here two years ago, with Olivia and Lucas and from that day forward we have become a family of the library. They are so kind and we have grown to love them more than anyone. Thank you so much."

Judy Wilson Montgomery:

"Corona del Mar library is a stop I make at least once a week for the last ten years. I love libraries and this one is on top of the list. The staff is above and beyond in helping me with my needs. It is always a joy to explore! Keep up the good work. Cheers!"

Nancy J. Smith:

"My grandparents' house is still right across the street--it hasn't changed much. They would be happy to see their beach cottage and this wonderful library still going strong. I lived across the street on and off for many years and my memories are quite warm and vivid. I think I came over hre to the library every day I could and checked out the Nancy Drew books over and over again (and Charlotte's Web at least a dozen times!)! From 1960 to maybe 1970, this library was my second home. I am so glad it is preserved as a neighborhood fixture. You've done a wonderful job. My Nana and Grandpa are smiling right now."

Debbie Chao:

"Golden Memories:
-Friendly Librarian Staff
-Renting movies on the walk home from the Farmer's Market
-Submitting book reviews for the Summer Adult Reading contest
-Reading books recommended by other readers' reviews
-Winning cups, book bags, movies
-Getting my husband to participate in the summer contest
-My husband winning the grand prize: tickets to NB Theater
-Walking my dog to pick up books 'on hold.'
-Participating in book discussions

Yudi Verduzco:

"Happy Birthday CDM Library!
As a child care provider I cannot begin to thank you enough for your hospitality. You have given me the tools to provide my chilren with the proper foundation. I have been welcomed into this location with open arms and there are no words to express my gratitude. I hope you continue to touch lives as you have mine. I love you Haidee!"

Christopher Paplham, (age 12):

"I've been going to Corona Del Mar Library for a very long time. In fact, I've been going to Corona Del Mar Library since I was born! Do I remember that? No. But I know now that it's my favorite library, what with the friendliness of the staff and my happiness coming from going there. I may not remember, but I know the staff and library have always been as fun and kid-friendly as they are now. And I know they always will be."

Lily Paplham (age 9):

"One of my favorite memories of the Corona Del Mar Library is when they had the Christmas Walk party. I had lots of fun. They had eggnog and candy canes. They also had other treats that tasted good. I made a fun ornament that I painted and put stickers on. I still have this ornament. This is my memory of the Corona Del Mar Library."

Clay Paplham:

"One of my most memorable moments was when there was a meeting at the CDM Library to keep it open. There was standing room only. It was great to hear why so many wanted to keep the library open. Happy 50th."

Darya Fadavi:

"Since 1959 when Corona del Mar's library opened locals have been coming and enjoying the many book, films, etc. that this library has to offer. I have been coming to this branch for 11 years, since I was two and a half years old. After we moved to Newport Coast from Pennsylvania, my family and I were overjoyed to find out that there was such a great library so close to our house. On the weekends when we walk around Corona del Mar, we always stop by the library before we go home to pick up a couple of good books and movies. I will continue to come to this library for many more years, because it will always be my favorite library. I hope this branch will stay open for at least another 50 years, and continue to make many more people as happy as it has made me."

Delara Fadavi:

"Ever since I was five years old, it has been a tradition to come here and find books and movies to enjoy. This location has an uncomparable homey feeling--I've even gotten to know some of the kind librarians personally. I have to say this is my favorite branch because it has the peaceful feeling a library needs. Throughout the eleven years I have lived here, the library has been a huge part of my life. Thank you for being here to keep the calm feeling found throughout Corona del Mar alive. I hope to continue returning here for many years to come."

Ginny Dean:

"Having lived only one block away on Marguerite Ave for the past 36 years has been a delight in many ways. Best of all have been each and every Librarian who has worked there. Always so helpful, gracious and friendly. When I come in and when I leave I've always felt a connection and warmth in a serene, quiet atmosphere. A bonus has been meeting and chatting with neighbors, making new and lasting friendships. Thank you."

Soheyla Kamal:

"We have been coming to Corona del Mar library for the last eleven years since we moved here from Pennsylvania. This library gave us the small town feeling which we were missing because of our move. We enjoy the friendly atmosphere of this library. My daughters who are teenagers now are raised with the books, CDs and movies of this library. We are happy that we are to have this place open for a long time."

Wendy Jeffries:

"I moved into this area about 7 years ago and having a little local library was just another plus to living here! It was so nice to walk over with my son to get research books for school or a movie for Friday night. Then came our daughter and she's been strolling over to this library with Daddy or I since she was a baby. She's enjoyed the special events about animals and jugglers etc. and the great Summer Reading Program. We are so happy the library is here and look forward to another 50 years!"

Summer Simpson:

"I love having a library close to my house. I have been coming here with my Mom and Dad since I was a baby. The Summer Reading Program is great and is helping me learn to read. I like to come to the animal shows too. I love this library."

Miles Richards:

"My memory of the Library is coming and getting Rainbow Magic Fairy Books. I also liked coming to story time when I was little. I loved getting movies from the library. I liked coming to the Library to read and to look for any kind of books. I liked coming for Catch the Reading Bug and Be Creative."

Eliot Richards:

"My favorite memory of the Library is when my sister and I would come to storytime with my mom! I also like checking out movies!"

Gail Young:

"Mrs. Schwimmer was the Children's Librarian 25 years ago when my children were in elementary school. She used to come to Harbor View School to encourage the children to get a library card. That is when our entire family got library cards, because of her kindness and enthusiasm toward reading. That is why our family is still here today--because of all of you! Corona del Mar is still a ‘Family Library.’"

Heather Borée:

"I can't remember when I first started using the Corona del Mar Library, it has just always been there, a touchstone of my life. I recall ‘Peanuts’ comic strip books and Nancy Drew, How to Eat Fried Worms and every book on horses or dinosaurs I could find, The Sweet Running Filly, The Black Stallion series, and one how-to book on creating your own dinosaur models which fascinated me as a child because it suggested using chicken bones to depict the remains of carnivrous dinosaurs' prey. (I was intrigued by model building but not to the point of storing fresh bones.)

From the Children's section to Young Adult and then the between-two-worlds of Young Adult and Adult sections, feeling as if I was truly venturing into someplace very grown-up. The Year of the Black Pony and Beat the Turtle Drum became Dracula, Nancy Drew became Agatha Christie. Those were the days of index card catalogs and stamping the due date inside a book and cardboard library cards (mine came to grief when it was accidentally left in a pocket and sent through the laundry).

I spent a summer volunteering at the library when I was sixteen, helping the children's librarian of the time, Mrs. Schwimmer, with setting up for (and clearing up after) a weekly kids' movie showing. I rearranged furniture so we could fit the screen in, organized snacks, passed out fliers and got to watch films like ‘Follow That Bird,’ ‘The Neverending Story’ and ‘Lady and the Tramp.’ A very pleasant summer job!

It was around that time--mid to late 1980s I think--that the library was briefly reputed to be haunted. Equipment suddenly started malfunctioning without explanation and the librarians dubbed the suspected spirit ‘Harry,’ after Dorothy Harry; however Harry, whoever he/she/it was, did not stay long. Things settled back down and the library moved forward. Cards became plastic, the system was computerized, and eventually computers were installed for patrons' use.

The Corona del Mar branch of the Newport Beach Public Library is in many ways responsible for how I grew up and what my interests were. I loved reaading and finding out new things and to this day I always feel instantly at home in a library, whichever one it may happen to be. The Corona del Mar branch, though, is my home library, having taken me from Marguerite Henry to Ernest Hemingway with a little Harry Potter thrown in along the line. I hope the Corona del Mar branch stays for rmany many more years and means as much to future patrons as it has always done and will continue to do to me. (And many many thanks, also, to all library staff who've helped me look things up, find a book or pay a fine over the years.)"

Kimi Reddy:

"I have been coming to this library since I was a baby and my mom would push me in a stroller. When I got bigger I would go to story time with my nanny. I still come to the library and I can walk on my own feet."

Kimberly Chavez:

"This is our 1st time here. What a wonderful branch for children! We had such a fun time making crafts, and eating popcorn. Everyone was incredibly friendly and service oriented. Thank you!"

Denise Spreen:

"I remember coming to the Corona del Mar library and reading the newest magazines. It was quite relaxing to curl up in a comfortable chair on a Saturday afternoon. Years later, I brought my daughter here and she would run around in the aisles hiding from me. Most recently, I've been bringing both my kids here (my daughter is now three and a half and son eight months) and my son loves to sit on the bean bags and we all read stories together.

It was fun remembering great memories of the library and I know we have many more in our future. Thank you too to all the librarians that are so nice here!"

Katie Langley:

"I have been coming here since I was a baby! I love this library. Every thing here is great!"

Linda Langley:

"I love coming to this library because it is always so easy to find what I want! Also, the Christmas Walk is always a highlight of the holidays for my kids."

K. Moll:

"The best memories of the Corona del Mar Branch Library are the helpful and friendly staff and the great service when you want a specific item. It's a great place to study and write!"

Selma Mann:

"My husband and I moved to Corona del Mar in 1986, right around Thanksgiving. We were exploring the neighborhood on foot and discovered a small library that was to become a big part of our lives--the Corona del Mar Branch Library. We found ourselves at the library several times each week, meeting wonderful librarians who loved to read as much as we do. Now I come with my grandson. He's been visiting since he was a baby and it's a joy to see him enjoying the library--and reading--as much as I do."

Stephanie Masaki Schatz:

"We have become ‘old friends’ with the library and staff through the years. Our first visit to the CdM Library was shortly after our move from Palos Verdes. We were happy to find a neighborhood library like our beloved Malaga Cove one. My daughter and I were part of the pre-school storytime group when she was three years old and fascinated by the picture books and talented storytellers. She's now nine years old and is an avid reader and writer. CdM staff has provided our family with a wonderful place to continue our love of reading."

Photo of Port Theater used with permission of the Sherman Library.