$1 million milestone

WHITTIER - The Friends of the Whittier Public Library has reacheda major milestone in its fundraising efforts.

When members present a $75,000 check to the City Council on July10, they will have given more than $1 million to the city for its twolibraries.

"It's fantastic," said Mayor Owen Newcomer. "It's unbelievable thesupport they have given us over the years."

In the last decade alone, the organization has given the city$650,000.

Newcomer said that the money has allowed the city to use funds itwould have earmarked for the libraries to other projects and programsthat benefit the community.

And for Francis Minard, the manager of the Friends bookstore,located on the corner of Comstock Avenue and Bailey Street, theFriends of the Library is all about community.

"It truly is a community service to take books that people don'twant anymore and provide them to those who do," he explained Tuesdaywhile he helped the other dozen or so volunteers sort through booksand file them to eventually sell at the store.

Since 1957, the Friends of the Library has raised money by sellingused books, accepting donations, membership dues and silent auctions.

But by far, the most money, Minard said, has come from sales atthe bookstore, which is truly remarkable since many people don't knowof its existence.

"People walk in here and say 'I didn't know you were here,"'Minard said. "But once they find us, they become regulars."

Friends President Nancy Stewart concurred and added that peopleseldomly leave empty-handed.

"Some people have treasure hunt fever," Stewart explained as shecleaned books before they were placed on the shelves.

One of the store's regulars is DeeDee Dearing, who used to work atthe defunct Bookland store on Greenleaf Avenue. On this particularTuesday she bought four hardcover books by a favorite author for $11.

Other customers, like Yelena Shemyakina of Chino Hills, are bookbuyers who resell their findings on the Internet.

"I usually buy something," she said. "They have a good selectionhere, and the people here are so friendly."

Minard, who has been a member with his wife, Selma, for about 11years, attributes the store's friendly atmosphere to Friends memberswho volunteer their time to stock the shelves and sell the books.

"These are the best people," he said.

"It's a fun place to work," said Stewart, whose hours at the storegradually grew because she had so much fun with the people.

Selma, who calls herself a "professional volunteer," said that oneof the things she loves about working in the bookstore is therelationships that blossom with the customers.

"It's so neat when we recommend to one another books, and we learnabout new authors," she said.

And there is a lot to find and share at the store. It is filledwith books of all genres, in hardback and paperback, and all are invery good shape despite being used.

They are priced from a quarter and up depending on how new theyare - rarer books are priced higher.

For the members of the Friends of the Library, there is no pricethat can be put on the relationships they have made sharing a love ofbooks while also giving back to the community.

"We truly are a family," Minard said.

The bookstore is open from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. tonoon Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

sandra.molina@sgvn.com

(562) 698-0955, Ext. 3028