• STAYCATION READING: Home for the summer? Meet your beach book needs at our upcoming Saturday sale. An abundance of hardcover and paperback fiction is arranged alphabetically by author, a feature hard to find at most library sales. Escapists will find Science Fiction and Fantasy has magically transported to a more accessible location inside Bard Street. In another corner, readers who love romance will find lots of Nora Roberts and other popular authors. Prices start at 25¢ for paperback and 50¢ for hard covers; most trade paperbacks are 50¢ or $1.
— CLASSICS:
There must be something you’ve always meant to read: Nicholas Nickelby? Gone with the Wind? Set a goal, buy something from our selection of classics, and get on it. Time is running out!
— THE PLAY’S THE THING:
The drama section is crammed with entertaining possibilities, both classical and contemporary. Plays are fun to read alone or in groups: buy several copies of one title and vary the routine at your book club by holding a pretend audition.
— NONFICTION FOR EVERYONE:
Subjects include politics, biography, true crime, travel, foreign languages, computers, and how to do almost anything, including grow and cook your own food. Also textbooks for all levels are available, well-organized, and cheap.
— FOR THE YOUNG--AND THE YOUNG AT HEART:
Books in the children’s section range from read-aloud titles for infants to teens and young adults. Pre-teen fans of Ramona, Henry, Ralph, and Leigh will find Beverly Cleary well represented. Junie B. Jones and Harry Potter are here too, but come early.
— CHART YOUR COURSE:
If you’re finally ready for a real voyage but feeling lost at sea, for only $5 you can buy the 2003 Edition 1 Maptech Waterproof Chartbook for the area covering Point Conception to Santa Catalina Island (retail price $50).

• FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.hbfol.org
--- Hermosa Beach Library: 310-379-8475
--- Carol Lawson, Book Sale Chairman: 310-372-2610
--- Call 310-372-2610 if you have a large donation of books for the Bard Street location.

• MONDAY MORNING BARD STREET BOOK SALES: Open hours are still 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. except for Holidays or the Monday before and after each book sale.

• INSIDE THE LIBRARY: Selections change weekly on the interim book sale shelves located on either side of the aisle leading to Pier Avenue. Recent offerings include videotapes and CDs as well as popular trade fiction.

• LIBRARIAN ELMITA BROWN’S REPORT: Elmita is able to provide refreshments for special library programs thanks to funds provided by Friends of the Library book sales. Other recent purchases: children’s craft supplies, books for children and grownups, and DVDs.

• 2009 SUMMER READING PROGRAM: The last of the 2009 series will be on Friday, August 7, at 3:30 p.m. and features the ACME Balloon Company with Annie Banannie. Entertainment for these children’s programs is sponsored by the Friends of the Library’s Evelyn Belasco Memorial Fund.

• THE MOLDOVA CONNECTION: Marilyn Shaw, Bard Street volunteer and Publicity Chair for the Friends, has signed up for a two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Moldova. Her Foreign Service background is being put to good use in a part of the world that has much need of it. We look forward to Marilyn’s return and to hearing about her experiences in Eastern Europe.

• 50th ANNIVERSARY PARTY UPDATE: An open house at the library on Saturday, September 26, will commemorate the Friends of the Library’s golden anniversary. Hours will be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Past FOL presidents will be honored, refreshments will be served, and the Friends will announce a surprise donation to benefit the library and its patrons. Members will be receiving special invitations by mail.