Raffle tickets to win summer camp scholarships, or "camperships," can be purchased during the event for $1.00 each, or 6 tickets for $5.00. The "camperships" were made possible through the generous support of the following companies:
Art Zone Children's Studio
Beach Sports
Dawn's Dance Camp
EarlyBirds Learning
Hype Studios
Music Rhapsody
Redondo School of Dance & Music
SCORE! Educational Centers
Sew Creative Cafe
Soul Performance Skate/Surf/Kite Board Shop.

The event will also feature a special family event, "Camp Read A Book: Let the Book Bugs Bite!" from 7:30 - 8 PM on Friday, June 23, at the North Branch Library. Children and their caregivers are encouraged to bring their flashlights and sleeping bags to this camping-themed Story Time to enjoy stories told by local author Claudia Ballinger.

In addition to the camping Story Time, The Boy Scouts will give a short demonstration starting at 6 PM on Friday, June 23, at the North Branch.

On Saturday, June 24, there will be Story Times throughout the day during the Book Fair (10 AM - 6 PM). Children will also be able to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog and a Berenstain Bear.

"The Scholastic Book Fair and Expo brings the community together to celebrate reading and learning," says Redondo Beach Library Foundation President Becky Sargent. "It also provides an excellent opportunity for community members to contribute to the effort to build a new North Branch Library."

A pdf of the event flyer can be downloaded here.

The Redondo Beach Library Foundation is pleased to announce that Rebecca Sargent has been elected President of the Board. Sargent has been a Redondo Beach resident for over 35 years, has a background in law, and recently completed 24 years as a Board Member of the Redondo Beach Unified School District.

"I'm honored to be a part of the Library Foundation," says Sargent. "My background in education has shown me why our library system is so important. Many of society's challenges are caused by low literacy; that's why it's essential to have up-to-date community resources such as our Redondo Beach libraries."

In her new position, Sargent will focus on three major areas: fund-raising to build a new Redondo Beach North Branch Library; new programs to foster high levels of literacy and a love of learning; and community awareness for both Redondo Beach libraries.

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Sargent is particularly excited about the prospect of a new library in north Redondo Beach. "The community surrounding the North Library deserves a modern facility that will serve everyone well - from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. Many families do not have up-to-date computers, others have no computers at all. A new library with the latest technology can be their connection to the world and instrumental to their future success."

Said Mike Halloran, former President of the Redondo Beach Library Foundation Board, "We are delighted that Becky has accepted this challenge of leading our Board and providing a fresh, new perspective on the role of libraries in our community."

Local Family's Garage Sale Raises Funds for a New North Branch Library

Katie Mapula (age 5), along with her brothers Sammy (age 12) and Joey (age 9), hosted a fundraiser yard sale to show their appreciation for the Redondo Beach North Branch Library. They raised $138.15, which they donated to the Library Foundation's North Branch Library construction fund. The children were inspired by their grandmother, Thildy Arnold, who has used the North Branch Library with her family for the past 40 years.

Everyone in the community can help build a new, modern library in North Redondo Beach! The Mapula family -- grandmother Thildy Arnold, mother Denise and 12-year-old Sammy, 9-year-old Joey and 5-year-old Katie -- is just one example of how Redondo Beach residents can make a difference. This family recently held a yard sale, generating $138 towards the building of a new facility.

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Said Thildy Arnold, "I came here from a small town in Switzerland, where there were no libraries. Because we have so many libraries in this country, people sometimes take them for granted --- it's hard for us to understand what life would be like without them. Libraries are important to instill a love of reading, expand our horizons, and provide opportunities to everyone regardless of their situation in life."

Arnold and her family have lived on Ripley Avenue in North Redondo Beach for 40 years. She and her three children made the several-mile walk to the North Branch Library at least once a week, checking out books and attending reading programs. Arnold now takes her three grandchildren to this library just as she did with her own children. Says grandson Joey, "We have really enjoyed the wonderful programs the library offers, as well as the books, arts & crafts, magic shows, and other fun stuff. So we decided to show our appreciation and have a fundraiser."

The family planned the yard sale for over a month. During the event, the whole family talked to everyone who came by, encouraging sales, reminiscing about their library experiences, and telling them about the need for a new library. They also handed out reading program schedules and pamphlets for the fund-raising campaign.

You can make a difference in our community, too! Every donation helps Redondo Beach achieve the goal of a new, modern library! For more information on how you can help, click here.