Photos: The Bookstore That Keeps on Giving

Some may not even know it's there. But past the computers and up the stairs on the east side of is the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library Bookstore.

With a bright neon sign reading "Book Store Open" and a staff of all-volunteer workers, this small but packed store has raised $950,000 over the past 29 years.

"If you took away the almost million dollars of support through the years, the library would be very different indeed," said South Pasadena City Librarian Steve Fjeldsted.

The bookstore was started in 1982 by a team of four volunteers: Sally Swan (recently deceased), Beverly Engler, Dorothy Cohen and Margaret Wallace. Previously, all donations to the library were kept in its damp, dark cellars.

"[Books] were priced by environmentally brave volunteers and sold at one swoop at a large sale held annually on the library’s lawn," reads the preface of the book store's manual.

"Designs for an expanded, rebuilt library, with construction scheduled to begin in 1981, eliminated the cellars but included space upstairs, which could be used for a bookstore."

Today, the bookstore is entirely volunteer-run, with about 60 members who work to keep it open seven days a week. Not to mention it also holds various fundraisers throughout the year. This month, for instance, it held a vintage book sale.

Countless literature, records and magazines lined the Saturday—many of which will remain for sale in the main library at a reduced price over the next two weeks.

Eagle Rock resident Beth (she did not give her last name), who is also a member of the South Pas Library's book club, stocked up on old cook books while Downey resident Robert Walza bought vintage picture books for his 14-month-old twin girls.

Other items among those for sale are LIFE magazines from the '50s and the Ruth Fielding Series by Alice B. Emerson. 

"All the money we make go to benefit the library, supporting such programs as the summer reading program, after-school tutoring, authors' nights, etc.," said Cohen, who still serves as chair of the store's steering committee. She and Engler are the only two still active of the original founders.

While the recession has affected the book store, it still managed to reel in $56,000 last year. Overall, more than 275 library programs were presented for children, teens and adults in 2010.

More on Patch:

Photo Gallery: The Book Store's Monthly Auction

History of South Pas Public Library