On Saturday, October 13th, The Friends of the Coronado
Public Library held their annual volunteer appreciation
luncheon. This annual tradition is to recognize all the
volunteers that make our used book shop, Second Hand
Prose, and the annual Book Fair in April a huge success. Over
the past year, along with all the programs and collections we
support at the Public Library itself, FOL has started a few out
reach mission programs to help promote literacy. These
include scholarships to deserving seniors at Coronado High
School, textbook scholarships to 9 foster children attending
accredited universities in the county, a “mini” library at the
Coronado Retirement Village to help people who would other
wise be unable to select books because they cannot get to the
main library or book shop, and in conjunction with a $1 for 1
book promotion during the teen reading program last summer,
donating $891 to library additions at The Monarch School for
homeless children in downtown San Diego. All of these
projects are made possible through the efforts of the
approximately 125 volunteers who make up the core “work
force” of The Friends of the Coronado Public Library. The 1
volunteer who stood out above all others this year and
received a gold star for his service was Jess DeCesare. Jess
is a long time volunteer in Second Hand Prose and the person
to call in an emergency. Jess is always willing to step in at a
moment’s notice should someone else need a replacement for
their shift. He has always been and will continue to be a vital
part of the book shop. Your Coronado Friends have also
begun a partnership with the San Diego Book Project, the
project has an old furniture store downtown where they collect
books for pick up by various non-profits throughout the county
as well as the ability to ship books overseas. All donations in
Coronado will stay here first of course, but any extra items we
cannot keep or sell are picked up by the SD Book Project to
distribute to these other worthy causes using their vast array
of resources. With the wonderful volunteers FOL has we will
continue to help the library in Coronado and the next big thing
will be our sponsorship of Christmas concerts in December.
The concerts will be open to the public so come on out and see
what your Friends are all about.
