BCL Friends Spring Book Sale & Auction books success
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: May 07, 2004
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
Saturday dawned bright and clear, meaning only one thing: it was time for books, those gently used but much loved tomes that were snatched up by dedicated readers during the Friends of the Blanchard Community Library Big Spring Book Sale.
Friends were on the scene shortly after 7 a.m. and with assistance from the Kiwanis Club and it’s Key Club members loaded tables with 25 categories of books for the 9 a.m. sale held in the north parking lot of BCL.
“I’m really looking forward to the auction,” said Friends President Mary Calkins. “Ellen Ruby (Friends Vice President) did a wonderful job,” culling rare, collectible and local interest books waiting to go home with the highest bidder.
“I want the book on Thomas Bard,” said Margaret Ely Davidson, a former City Councilwoman and Mayor.
Davidson has been portraying Olive Mann Isbell, a local historical figure who was the first American teacher in California, for a Living History Project, and “Bard knew Olive and her family. . .I’m always researching her character.”
Indeed, Davidson was the winning bidder for “Oil, Land & Politics: The California Career of Thomas Robert Bard” just one of the books heavy on local history featured in thae auction.
Jennifer Wineman brought probably the youngest customer - her 3 1/2-month-old daughter Amber Grace - to the Book Sale. Wineman, a Newbury Park resident, said she has only missed one of the semi-annual book sales over a 15-year-period. On Saturday she was the winning bidder on several items, including a rare 1721 edition of “Virgil” translated by John Dryden.
Friends Secretary Chris Lemon, who assisted auctioneer Peggy Kelly, said the book sale is geared to families: “I see those little kids sitting on the curb and reading, they’re adorable. . .kids really love the books.”
Better books were $1 and up, hardbacks 50 cents and paperbacks a quarter (25 cents), all being snapped up by book lovers who filled paper bags with their favorites.
The Friends of Blanchard Community Library hold the book sales each May and November to benefit BCL and over the years have funded equipment, books and supplies, including the south parking lot book return bin.
