End July with a Bang!
July is packed with fun things for everyone – drawing, wild animals and a summer send-off.
School-aged kids are invited to learn how to create refrigerator-ready pictures on July 16 at 3:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chamber during Kyle Tiernan’s Draw Along.
All ages are invited to “Walk on the Wild Side” on Saturday, July 25 at 2pm in the City Hall Council Chamber with the Wild Wonders Animal Show.
Lastly, celebrate the end of our Summer Reading Program at the Sweet Summer Send-Off. All ages are invited to join us for a sweet afternoon of fun that includes activities and ice cream on Thursday, July 30 at 3:30 pm in the Friends Storytime Room.
To see our full schedule of July programs, visit the library’s online calendar at missionviejo.gov/event-category/library-programs.
Summer-Ween
Teens ages 13-17 are invited to celebrate Halloween in summer. Sport your favorite Halloween costume (or not) and join us in the Friends Storytime Room on Thursday, July 9 from 3:30-5 pm. We will paint mini pumpkins, decorate picture frames, watch a Halloween movie, and more.
To see our full schedule of July programs, visit missionviejo.gov/event-category/library-programs.
KinderLaunch: Ready, Set, Go!
Build early learning skills through hands-on activities designed to support kindergarten readiness and childhood development. Join us in the Friends Storytime Room on Wednesday, July 22 and 29 at 3:30 pm.
To see our full schedule of July programs, visit missionviejo.gov/event-category/library-programs.
Quilt Blocks sought for America250 Community Quilt
The Mission Viejo Library invites our community to help create a special Community Quilt celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America in 2026.
For more information and submission guidelines, email libraryprograms@cityofmissionviejo.org.
From the Archives: Mission Viejo Celebrates America
The Local History collection currently on display is showcasing photographs of Mission Viejo’s celebrations of America’s founding going back 56 years to 1970. See the sprawling 1976 Bicentennial celebration on the Mission Viejo golf course and the May 1976 visit by President Ford to Mission Viejo High School.
The local history display is in the back corner of the south wing of the library (turn right when entering the library). This display will continue throughout the summer months.
‘Using DNA Test Results’ with Kathleen Fernandes
Learn with step-by-step guidance how to approach the analysis of DNA testing data and apply the results in your genealogical research. Topics covered include testing strategies, confirming relationships to family members tested, verifying the branches in your tree, identifying surprise cousins, and addressing brick walls in your distant ancestry.
This free presentation is at 10 am on Saturday, July 18 at the Mission Viejo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 27976 Marguerite Parkway. No registration is needed.
About the speaker: Kathleen Fernandes earned her Ph.D. in educational psychology from Stanford University and worked as a systems analyst designing military IT systems for the Department of Defense. Since retiring, she has been actively researching her Portuguese ancestry and became interested in genetic genealogy to break through the brick walls she encountered. She is particularly interested in tools and techniques for analyzing DNA data in endogamous populations. She has spoken at conferences sponsored by the Institute for Genetic Genealogy and is a frequent presenter on DNA topics to local genealogy groups in the Southern California area.
The South Orange County California Genealogical Society’s Genealogy Research Center in the Mission Viejo Library is open six days a week with docents available to help you. Visit soccgs.org/library-hours for current hours.