Morro Bay Friends of the Library

County Friends Presidents and Library staff accept proclamation from Board of Supervisors on 10/21/2008 in honor of Friends of the Libraries.

The Morro Bay Friends of the Library is a nonprofit corporation that is incorporated under the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes. The PURPOSE of the organization is to establish and maintain an association of persons interested in libraries: to focus public attention on Morro Bay Library branch needs; and to support and cooperate with the county, city and state to enhance library services and facilities; and to stimulate gifts, endowments and bequests.

The Morro Bay Friends of the Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

It is also important to note that the purpose of the Friends organization, as stated in our bylaws (included on this website) is to support the library with programs and activities that enrich the normal library services.

If you are interested in being a part of our mission, we encourage you to join the Friends. Click here for information on how to join the Friends.

The West wall of the Library features a unique glass tile mosaic designed especially for our building.

Funded by area clubs and a grant from the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, the colorful mural was designed by artist Peter Ladochy of Cayucos. Labor for the project was volunteered by some 100 community members under the direction of Ladochy.

Citizen involvement ranged from choosing the mosaic's theme, to planning, assembling and mounting the finished artwork.

Composed of 125,000 one inch square pieces of glass, the 650 square foot mural depicts the history and environs of Morro Bay. A native Chumash Indian, early explorer Juan Cabrillo, and missionaries are pictured along the modern-day city of Morro Bay against a backdrop of blue water and green hills. Native flora and fauna, including a peregrine falcon and sea otter, are woven in.

You might enjoy taking this page along with you to help you better understand the many stories incorporated into this beautiful mosaic of our local history.

In July 2009, a group of local volunteers spent almost two weeks restoring the original mural. Organized and financed by the Morro Bay Friends of the Library, with original artist Peter Ladochy and Steve Proano (a master tile setter) lending direction, volunteers painstakingly reset hundreds of tiny ceramic tiles. Volunteers to be commended for their spirit, energy and time include: Rita Brotherton, Catherine Ruestmann, Creighton Decker, Joan Decker, Elaine Du Fosee, Robert Du Fosee, Herb Garfield, David Rosenthal, Roger Ewing, Betsy Kinter, Ben Koppl, Duke Meaney, Berta Parish, Riley Proano, Susan Stephens, Richard Strasburg and Lynn Wickham. The Morro Bay Library staff, Friends of the Library and City of Morro Bay are extremely grateful for their dedication and devotion to restoring this beautiful piece of town history.

• 1) arrows in flight (f.r.)
• 2) Spanish banner (r.c.)
• 3) boats and harbor (f.l.)
• 4) butterfly (f.r.)
• 5) Cabrillo (r.c.)
• 6) caravel with sails (r.c.)
• 7) Chumash Indian (f.r.)
• 8) compass rose (r.c.)
• 9) constellations and stars (r.c.)
• 10) fishnets (l.c.)
• 11) geese in flight (f.r.)
• 12) Halley's Comet (r.c.)
• 13) headless salamander (f.r.)
• 14) horse (f.r.)
• 15) houses in Morro Bay (l.c.)
• 16) Mission Padres (r.c.)
• 17) Morro Rock and the Seven Sisters (f.l.)
• 18) peregrine falcon (r.c.)
• 19) pistol (r.c.)
• 20) sand dollar (f.l.)
• 21) sea lions (l.c.)
• 22) sea otters (l.c.)
• 23) sun (f.r.)
• 24) waterfall (f.r.)

CLUES: f.l.=Far Left; l.c.=Left Center; r.c=Right Center; f.r.=Far Right