Friends of Topanga Library Book Sale, May 6 and 8

 

PHOTO BY FLAVIA POTENZA, MESSENGER, 2012© Friends of the Topanga Library Volunteer Coordinator Victoria Charles’ lifelong love of books, years of marketing that translated into a career as an environmental educator, is the right woman for the job. May 6 and 8, she hopes, will be a blockbuster fundraiser for the library with the sale of Edgar Hermann’s collection of more than 1,500 books that was recently donated to the library.

A book sale of vintage books from the collection of Topanga resident Edgar Hermann, will be the latest fundraiser sponsored by Friends of the Topanga Library (FOTL) on Sunday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tues., May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hermann donated more than 1,500 books on topics that include architecture, art, philosophy, literature, biography, travel and more, all in pristine condition. Many of them are coffee table books that still sell for top dollar and will be on sale for $1, $5 and $10. It is cash only and bring your own bags, although FOTL will have bags for sale, too.

Although Sunday’s sale opens to the public at 10 a.m., FOTL members will have first look at the collection between 9 and 10 a.m. However, non-members can be admitted early if they join as a Friend, $10; Family, $20; Bibliophile, $50; Bookworm, $100; or Lifelong, $1,000. All contributions are tax-deductible and go directly to the Library’s collection and funding of programs for children of all ages, as well as adults.

FRIENDS OF THE TOPANGA LIBRARY

It was a lucky day for Topanga when the library agreed to bring Victoria Charles on board as its Friends of the Topanga Library Volunteer Coordinator.

Lucky, too, that Charles was in-between jobs. As a businesswoman with a lifelong love of books, years of marketing experience in her resume and a new career as an environmental educator, it may be the perfect combination to help develop this fundraising arm for the library.

“It’s all about donations and volunteers,” she says.

The FOTL store is run by volunteers who commit to a regular shift of two hours to sit in the store, sell books, accept book donations and provide information. They will also be called upon to assist with events such as the upcoming book sale.

“It’s a great way to get to know the people in your community while supporting the library,” Charles says. “The store can be open only when volunteers are available.”

Setting the standard for volunteers, Rose Wiley donates four hours of her time every Wednesday.

FOTL is looking for donations of “gently used” books, CDs and DVDs that can be dropped off at the Store (when it is open) or may be left with a staff person inside the library. They do not accept trade books or reference books older than two years.

Due to limited storage space at the library, Charles has stored the collection in her home until the sale.

She finds that what began as a part-time volunteer job, has become a full-time volunteer job. Still, she says, “I love it because I’m a social person and enjoy putting all the volunteers together. I thought I knew everyone in Topanga, but I keep meeting new faces all the time,” she says.

“Most of our books in the store are $1 and we sell lots of kids’ books, self-help, parenting, SAT and AP books, and lots of cookbooks.” She rattles off another long list to emphasize the variety that is available. “Look,” she says, pulling a book off the shelf. “Eckhart Tolle’s ‘A New Earth,’ only a dollar!”

The store also sells book bags for $8 and everyone who joins FOTL at any level gets a free Topanga Library travel mug, that sells for $5.

“My love of books and reusing inspired me to become FOTL Volunteer Coordinator,” says Charles, who has lived in Topanga for 12 years and is a single mom with a daughter in first grade at Topanga Elementary. She is also an assistant leader for Brownie Troop #12835.

As for the book sale, Charles’ marketing instinct tells her that Hermann’s donation could be a blockbuster of a fundraiser for the library.

Victoria Charles can be reached at friendsofthetopangalibrary@yahoo.com, and go on Facebook to “like” Friends of the Topanga Library.

WHAT ELSE DOES OUR LIBRARY OFFER?

In April there was a number of events and meetings accommodated or sponsored by the library. Among them were children’s Earth Day activities and Wednesday Storytime for toddlers and pre-schoolers. The Community Room hosted a Wordpress Meetup, the first of the North Topanga Canyon Fire Safe Committee’s lecture series (see article), a meeting of the Teen Advisory Board and a new book club led by Victoria Charles and Kirby Ingram.

Earlier this year there was a Vegetarian Cooking class, Volcanoes in Story and Science, Pixel Art Activities and an Afternoon Adventuretime for kids.

May events include a Mother’s Day Art activity, Harp Performance, Ikebana Flower Arranging and more.

Check in, check out a book or two and go online for the most current activities.

It’s public, it’s free, it’s priceless.

The Friends of the Topanga Library is a non-profit, 501 c (3) that is a fundraising arm of the Topanga Public Library, located at 122 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga CA 90290.

Hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Monday. (310) 455-3480; colapublib.org; “Like” it on Facebook; Twitter @TopangaLibrary.