Library bookstore celebrates spacious temporary location

Members of the Friends of the Sun City Library and city officials celebrate the opening of the bookstore's temporary location. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

Regular guests of the Sun City Library in the Cherry Hills Plaza know all about the used bookstore run by the Friends of the Sun City Library near the library's entrance. Most also know that the library is closed until early June for renovations.

That hasn't stopped the Friends of the Library, which has rented space across the plaza next to Merna's Cafe at 26842 Cherry Hills Blvd. Rather than close down the popular used bookstore, the organization actually has a larger space to offer more inventory at great prices for the next couple of months.

"This is a business that's smart, because you don't want any down time," Menifee Mayor Neil Winter said about the bookstore during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. "You will continue to stay open and provide this service to the community."

The bookstore offers donated books at prices as low as 50 cents. A variety of genres are offered. There is a children's book section and adult sections for history, biographies, science fiction and fantasy, fiction and more. In addition, the bookstore offers selections online through EBay and can search for titles readers are seeking.

The nonprofit organization generates several hundred dollars a month in profit, which is used to help fund library programs. All bookstore workers are volunteers.

"We have about 35 volunteers who cover seven days a week, all the hours the library is open at the other site," said Linda Denver (right), president of the Sun City Friends of the Library. "We didn't want to close down for a few months and lose that connection with our volunteers. They look forward to this so much, and they have regular customers during their regular time slot. It's like a family.

"We're able to generate profit for the library through donations. We have monthly meetings where the board meets with Michelle Stiles, the library manager, who brings proposals for programs they're planning. We allow her a budget to work with."

Residents are urged to stop by the bookstore and check out their offerings, as well as donate used books for others to enjoy. For more information, visit the Friends of the Sun City Library Facebook page or their website here.