RSS Feed
|
|||||
|
T.O. nonprofit bookstore set to open For Melissa Cook and Jeanne Johnson, preparing for the grand opening of their new Thousand Oaks bookstore this Saturday turned out to be a labor of love. Among their many chores, the pair hand-cleaned 8,000 used books that will stock the shelves of the nonprofit store, The Book Bag. They purchased another 15,000 books. Proceeds from the new store, which is located at 202 N. Skyline Dr., will go toward the Many Mansions Homework/Literacy Program and Conejo Valley Adult Literacy Program. Cook and Johnson, who are both avid readers, not only get to pursue their hobby, but also help the community they love. As employment specialists—Cook is a human resources consultant and Johnson a retired human resources executive—they have seen how harmful illiteracy can be. Their goal is to make books accessible to everyone, Cook said. People with low or minimum literacy skills "tend to be stuck in low paying jobs, even though they may be bright and very capable," she said. According to Cook, the nation’s literacy skills have much room for improvement. Most of the inventory will be generated from community donations. One realtor brought in 10 bags of books last week and a Thousand Oaks graphic artist and Westlake copy store gave the store large discounts. Many Mansions said it would donate books as well. "We believe that generosity will just grow," Cook said. Books will cost between $1 and $5 and readers will be able to exchange one book for another in the same genre for a small fee. They can also exchange paperbacks and hardcovers. The owners will host reading programs for children and seniors and organize book clubs for devoted readers. "We’re really honored to be associated with the Book Bag," said Fiona Kilner, Many Mansions resident services director. "How many bookstores do you know of that exist just to help their communities?" The Book Bag’s grand opening is scheduled for May 1 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, call (805) 497-0710 or visit the Website at www.thebookbag.biz. |
for larger version       |
||||
