• SPRING IS HERE! SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!: Stock up for vacation days at mega-bargain prices and take your reading outside to the patio, the beach, or the airport. Most hardcover books sell for just 50¢, paperbacks are 25¢, and newer hardcover fiction (2008-2010) and trade paperbacks sell for $1. Then you can freely spend money on important things like meals, transportation, clothing, hotels, and gratuities.  For stay-at-home days, buy a bagful of VHS tapes (including classics from the library collection) at 10¢ per title; DVDs are a mere $1.

• BRIDAL SHOWERS, WEDDINGS . . . AND BUNDLES OF BABY BOOKS: We have books with lots of good suggestions and step-by-step instructions to take you through these important life stages. Find new ideas for decorations, refreshments, gifts, and party games for all the happy occasions on your spring and summer calendar.

• TRAVEL TIME: An entire wall at the front of the store is devoted to travel, foreign language instruction, and an eclectic selection of novels and nonfiction books to prepare you for adventures in other countries. (Dictionaries are close by too.) Be the first person on your tour to read about Donald Duck in Norwegian. (Yes, we really have a paperback in which Donald speaks Norsk.)

• GAMES & PUZZLES: Taking care of kids & grandkids? Explore the special shelves at the Bard Street Book Store devoted to books on games, puzzles, magic tricks, and other mind-challenging diversions. Set aside the remote, put the computer to sleep, and exercise your brain the low-tech old-fashioned way.

• HEALTH & MEDICINE: Answers to what you forgot to ask your doctor on your last office visit probably reside within one or more books written by laypersons and experts. Fitness, diet, and exercise books are also available.

• FUNDS FOR THE LIBRARY: Proceeds from book sales are used to meet the ongoing needs of Hermosa Beach Library patrons and staff. Since January of 2010, the HBFOL has paid for current best-sellers from Barnes & Noble; a banner, bookmarks, and gift certificates for P.A.W.S. to Read participants; refreshments for special children’s programs, such as Friday morning Story Hours and the L.A. Opera visit on April 30; and miscellaneous craft & office supplies. The upcoming 6-week Summer Reading Program performances in June and July will once again take place thanks to the Evelyn Belasco Memorial Fund established by the FOL.

• A BIG WELCOME BACK TO MARILYN SHAW: Marilyn Shaw, volunteer for the FOL, returned home to Hermosa Beach mid-March after serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Moldova (a small, poor country located in Eastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine).  She first lived in a village with a host family while attending language training in Romanian six days a week.  Later she moved to a city, living with another host family and continuing her studies.  While in Moldova, she worked for a non-governmental organization  whose mission is to help women start small businesses in order to support themselves and their children and prevent them from getting trapped in trafficking schemes.  Unfortunately, an injury prevented Marilyn from completing her two-year commitment.  Although she is very happy to be home, she takes away many good memories of her Peace Corps experience.

• FOR MORE INFORMATION:
— Hermosa Beach Library: 310-379-8475
— Carol Lawson, Book Sale Chairman: 310-372-2610 — Book donations accepted at the library any time the library is open.

• MONDAY MORNING BARD STREET BOOK SALES: Open hours are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. except on holidays and the Monday before and after each Saturday book sale. Large book donations may be brought to the Bard Street address during these hours, or call 310-372-2610 to arrange for other delivery at another time.

• PAWS TO READ: This wonderful program, co-sponsored by the FOL, is in its second year at the Hermosa Library. Every 2nd Saturday, youngsters practice reading skills with attentive Therapy Dogs as patient listeners. Call or stop in to reserve your child’s turn to Sit, Stay, and Read to a trained dog. See photos of some of the children and dogs.