Friends of the Library show their friendliness

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Proving that old books can do more than gather dust,

the Friends of the Newport Beach Library will donate $142,000 to the

library next week.

The money comes from the sale of used books at the group’s bookstore

at the Newport Beach Central Library, as well as four annual book sales.

During the past year, members of the organization have sold about

200,000 books, which range in price from 50 cents to $10 or more, said Dee Halliday, a member of the group.

Each year, library officials submit a wish list to the organization,

which has the sole purpose of selling used books to raise money for the

library.

Melissa Adams, a library spokeswoman and Pilot columnist, said the

group’s donations allowed library officials to buy books, tapes and other

materials that they could not otherwise add to the collection. She added

that most of the group’s donation will go to materials for children, as

well as the acquisition of books that are rented frequently.

City officials have allocated $581,264 for library materials in the

2001-02 budget, Adams said, adding that the library has also received a

one-time $47,000 grant for science-related materials.

For five straight years, the nonprofit organization has given at least

$100,000 to the library. In 1997 and 1998, the check came to $100,000,

followed by $125,000 in 1999 and $127,000 in 2000.

Members of the group will present this year’s check to City Council

members at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall and again at the Central Library

at 1 p.m. Aug. 15.

Anyone may drop off books at the organization’s store at the Central

Library, which is at 1000 Avocado Ave., or any library branch.

The store is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through

Saturday, and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Books can always be dropped off

during library hours. The next book sale will take place Aug. 17 and 18

at the Central Library.

FYI

For more information about the Friends of Newport Beach Library, call

(949) 759-9667.

And the money goes to:

Children’s books

$35,000

Children’s videos & CDs

$7,000

Young adult books

$10,000

DVDs

$19,500

Children’s DVDs

$2,500

Audio books

$30,000

Popular high-interest books

$20,000

Book bags

$5,000

Literacy program

$2,000

Summer reading program (youth)

$3,600

Summer reading program (adult)

$1,300

Transportation to library for first- and fourth-graders

$2,200

Transportation to library for middle & high school students

$2,400

Books for first-graders for trip to library

$1,500

TOTAL

$142,000