Discover the Treasures at the Friends of the Santa Monica Library Store

The Friends of the Library Bookstore originally opened in 2006. Used books are often sold or given away to other local libraries in need. Above, Edward greets one of his regular visitors.

You might wonder what is special about this unusual store that houses a great variety of books, and so much more. It is located just outside the north entrance to the downtown Santa Monica library. Stop by Monday, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. to find out.

The afternoon I visited, I was impressed with the number of people shopping, each seemed determined to go to a certain section to find what they wanted. One had a tote bag to fill up. They also sell children’s games, CDs, and DVDs.

The Friends of the Santa Monica Library was founded in 1961 by City Librarian Hilda Glaser. The group was dedicated to advocating for growth and enrichment of our local libraries. The Friends of the Library Bookstore was created in 2006. Proceeds help fund many of the library programs. (Originally, each library branch was selling used books, but it became too much work for the individual branch librarians.)

There is also an online book store with more choices.

A former educator, Kent Lewis, started volunteering in 2006 when the new downtown library opened. He was told he would have to serve on the Friends of the Santa Monica Library Board, which he did.

Kent shared that during the pandemic they would often receive up to 1000 books a day. They still receive many books for children and middle school students.

Over the years, Kent has worked in the store with volunteer supervisor Sheila Ober-Brown whose enthusiasm and literary knowledge has kept the store and its dedicated volunteers on a positive growth track for 19 years.

At times she may set up a cart of unusual donations for sale, such as first editions signed by the authors. Customers should keep checking for treasures.

Sheila makes sure books that can’t be sold benefit other organizations in Southern California such as inner-city schools, jails, or the Veterans Administration.

Palisades parents whose children are sharing a campus with West L.A. school students asked Sheila for books. She donated several cartons of books to start a school library for them on their current campus.

In Sheila’s 28 years of service, she has made beneficial contacts throughout the country that help her do even more with the books she receives at the store.

Watching the activity of the busy volunteers in the store assured me that the Friends of the Santa Monica Library Bookstore will continue to help enrich the library programs for a long time to come.

By Diane Margolin

Publisher, The Santa Monica Star