Saturday, Feb. 22, Moorpark Friends of the Library kicked off the first day of their annual book sale at the Moorpark City Library. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bags were available to purchase for $4, which people could then fill with as many books as they wanted. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the library to continue the reading and enrichment programs for the community.

Moorpark Friends of the Library will be consistently hosting the book sale during Moorpark City Library’s regular hours until March 2. Friends of the Library members, as well as teachers, are able to purchase a bag for only $3.

The morning began with a crowd of people filling the outdoor space where many boxes of books and DVDs were on display for purchase.

Becky Hayden, an attendee, shared her experience with literature.

“I find reading really relaxing, but my parents taught me to read really young. I grew up here, so I’ve been coming to this personal library since I was five,” Hayden shared.

Hayden resides in Moorpark and has come to the book sales for the last five to six years. A teacher at Moorpark High School, Hayden buys many books for her own classroom. Hayden had two bags of books all ready to go.

“I’m sure I’ll end up with more,” Hayden laughed.

Overall, the goal of the Friends of the Library is to support the library and keep it alive.

“Some people think that we don’t need libraries, that they’re fading out, but they don’t understand that the library grows with the community,” expressed Francine Dudenhoeffer.

Dudenhoeffer, a Moorpark resident, also emphasized that many people may not have access to a computer, making libraries necessary for assistance.

Dudenhoeffer, a long-time member of the Friends, has been on the board for eight years and has worked for the book store for nearly 12 years.

“The Friends is the fundraising arm of the library. Libraries can’t take monetary donations,” Dudenhoeffer explained.

Rosalie Barili of Moorpark, a member of Friends of the Library since 2013, added to Dudenhoeffer’s statement.

“We are invoiced by the city. They actually pay ahead for the programs, and then out of the funds that we get each year, we then give to the city,” said Barili.

This process must be based on a budget that the Friends set, for how much they can give back.

According to Teri Glazier, Friends of the Library publicity coordinator, “Last year was about $12,000 we were able to provide to the city library through our fundraising efforts.”

Glazier shared that these funds also help activities regularly hosted at the library such as craft clubs, book clubs and even a slime club.

Brittney Portillo, Friends of the Library member and resident of Moorpark, was also present at the book sale. Along with her was her four-year-old daughter, Quinn Portillo, who she reads with daily.

“I like how different books can take you on different adventures,” Portillo expressed. “I like how reading gives me a break from life.”

For more information, follow the Moorpark Friends of the Library on Facebook. Moorpark City Library also has upcoming events posted on their calendar.