Saratoga News

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Jim McDonald serves as a volunteer at the Saratoga Book-Go-Round, a project of the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries.

Book-Go-Round celebrates 15 years

By Shari Kaplan

Some people might say Saratoga's Book-Go-Round has the "luck o' the Irish." The used bookstore's humble beginning was on March 17--St. Patrick's Day--and it's still going strong 15 years later.

The Friends of the Saratoga Libraries (FSL) would say it takes more than luck to maintain the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow--it's thanks to the generosity of both store volunteers and book donors, as well as a consistent interest by people who appreciate the value of reading.

"When it first began, before my time [as a volunteer], people were worried we'd run out of books. They thought we'd dry up and wouldn't last," recalls Mary Jeanne Fenn, Book-Go-Round manager for the past 12 years.

"It's been astronomical; the donations have been continuing year after year. Our turnover in the store is very fast. We have many regular customers from all over the Bay Area," Fenn adds.

The majority of books, she says, come from donations people drop off either at the store or at the library. A few are library discards. FSL uses proceeds to purchase various items for the library, including furnishings, art, display cases and plants.

Paperbacks and hardcovers are arranged on shelves under almost every subject heading found in a commercial bookstore. There are also used books-on-tape, videotapes, records, cassettes and compact discs.

"The fun thing is you never know what's going to show up. It's a treasure trove all the time," Fenn says. "There's a lot of dust, but it's fun to dig for the gold among the dust."

The events leading to the flourishing of Book-Go-Round began in 1978, when the current Saratoga Community Library on Saratoga Avenue opened. Previously, what was known as the Saratoga Village Library operated out of a quaint building at 14410 Oak St.

The Oak Street building served as an auxiliary library until 1981, when it was no longer needed. Soon afterward, someone suggested to then-FSL president Mary Beth Gandrud that the building would make a good permanent venue for volunteers to raise money by selling used books.

Following a surprisingly short "red tape" period, during which the City Council appointed a Village Library Building Task Force to evaluate requests from various groups that wanted to use the building, FSL got its wish.

Initially, FSL shared the building with two other groups, Valley Institute of Theater Arts and the Environmental Volunteers. Both groups dropped out along the way, eventually leaving the entire building for use as the Book-Go-Round.

FSL has organized some special events in celebration of Book-Go-Round's milestone anniversary. Those already scheduled are the following:

* "Books & Brunch" on March 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Saratoga Community Library honors all former and current volunteers with a free brunch. Book-Go-Round founders and early volunteers will share stories and tour the library.

* "After Business Hours Mixer" on March 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. takes place at Book-Go-Round. Hosted by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, it is open to all area businesses; visitors are welcome.

* "Camaraderie & Coffeecake" on March 23 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Book-Go-Round is a chance for volunteers and visitors to meet officers and representatives of other area community organizations.

* The Saratoga Library Commission's monthly meeting takes place March 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Book-Go-Round.

* Book-Go-Round hosts a free coffee break on March 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. for members of Saratoga's real estate community.

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