To the uninitiated, bookmark library in the heart of Old Oakland might look like any other second-hand bookstore in town. Inside, bibliophiles roam the aisles in the hope of finding their next read. Art books, works of fiction, cookbooks, hobby books, biographies and political writings adorn the tables and shelves. Small collections of puzzles, vinyl records and CDs complete the literary offer.
What many may not know is that the bookstore began nearly 30 years ago as the flagship store of the Friends of the Oakland Public Library.
It was in 1966 that supporters of local libraries came together to form Friends of OPL. In its early years, the group held book sales to raise money for the main downtown library, and over the decades its support has been extended to branch libraries throughout Oakland. In 1992, after years of wandering the city and organizing sales, the Friends decided to open a permanent bookstore to better serve their efforts.
The Bookmark bookstore first opened at 815 Washington St., next to Ratto’s Deli and Market, before moving to its current location at 721 Washington Street in 1995.
Today, the store is run almost entirely by volunteers. the only employees are his two part-time co-managers, Laura Guzman and Sven-Eric Geddes. The used books they sell are priced 40-50% less than most other used bookstores – many, if not most, are priced between $3 and $6. It’s a business model that has paid off for the Oakland Public Library: Since opening in Old Oakland, the bookstore has generated $3 million in book sales, according to the organization. In fiscal year 2019-2020 alone, Friends of the OPL donated over $200,000 in grants to the Oakland Public Library for programming at all of its branches.
Volunteers tend to stay with Friends of OPL for a long time. But not as long as Winifred Walters, a volunteer since 1995 who also served on the organization’s board of directors until she retired end of 2021.
Walters remembers how, in the pre-internet days, people interested in volunteering would find information in the newspaper. “A volunteer I used to share a Saturday shift with used to tell people early on that’s where she heard about the store,” Walters said. “A promotion of volunteers ran in the Oakland Grandstand.”
The bookstore has lost some of its volunteers during the COVID shutdowns and has been unable to reopen seven days a week. The store is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is looking for additional volunteers.
This is how Guzman, one of the new co-managers, got her start. “I discovered the bookstore as a volunteer, passionate about libraries, and it’s just a well-kept secret,” Guzman said. “I volunteered here on Saturdays for a few months, and the store was in a transition period. It was a lucky moment. The bookstore’s former manager, Phyllis Couillard, who also started as a volunteer in 2009, left her position during the summer.
Bookstore volunteers come from all walks of life, from retirees to students to work-study people. Being a volunteer sometimes means finding hidden treasures or making unexpected encounters. Walters remembers finding a rare book that the bookstore sold for $1,700. And in the past, donations have come from famous people, like former Mayor of Oakland and Governor of California, Jerry Brown.
“He donated books from time to time, and a lot of the books were inscribed ‘To Jerry Brown.’ It was very low key,” Walters said. “Someone would say, ‘Jerry Brown brought books. ‘ It was really great.”
Other donations come from estates, such as when the family of famous English journalist Jessica Mitford donated her books. Mitford is best known for the author The American Way of Death, a presentation on the funeral home industry in the United States.
Those interested in supporting the Friends of the Oakland Public Library and the Bookmark Bookstore can volunteer, buy online or in person, donate booksWhere become members.
As the bookstore celebrates its 30th anniversary, book lovers can take advantage of the semi-annual store sale from Thursday 20 October to Sunday 23 October.