LISNews: Librarian Blog Since 1999

As the beleaguered library system loses more than half the money it normally spends on bestsellers, databases and replacing worn children's books, a coalition of local booksellers is stepping up to help out the libraries and, perhaps, their own bottom lines.

Beginning next month, Santa Cruz Public Libraries is expected to roll out a "wish list" with bookstores around the county in an effort to restock the system's shelves and keep money in local tills, too. Customers can buy the books and the stores will donate them to the library. Stores that have expressed interest include: Santa Cruz: Atlantis Fantasyworld, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Borders, Gateways Books & Gifts, Literary Guillotine|Capitola: Borders, Capitola Book Cafe, Kaleidoscope|Aptos: Bookworks.

For information on donating to the libraries or volunteering, contact Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries at 420-5798, e-mail friends@santacruzpl.org, or visit fscpl.org.