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DIAMOND BAR – After years of helping the Diamond Bar Library, the Friends of the Library got a little help of their own.

The Friends, a volunteer group of about 26 people, recently moved their Basically Books bookstore from donated and interim space to a facility twice the size at 23447 Golden Springs Drive.

The Friends of the Library use the bookstore to raise money to support the Diamond Bar library when county funds aren’t available.

“We love the Friends,” said library Branch Manager Jesse Lanz. “We really appreciate all the help from them.”

The Friends had been looking for new space for about a year. With a little help from Councilman Steve Tye, they finally got what they had been longing for.

“Tye really helped us out,” said Mary Hackett, the Friends vice president in charge of the bookstore. “He really pushed for us and talked to lots of landlords until we found this accommodation.”

Now in its third location, the Friends bookstore finally has room for their stock of more than 9,000 used books. The books are donated to the Friends, then sold to the public for $2 to $5. Proceeds go to the Diamond Bar Library.

“The librarians present us a list of their needs and we try to help them out realistically where we can,” Hackett said.

The Friends recently donated new circulation and reference desks, as well as self-checkout computers. The furniture and equipment cost about $40,000.

“The self-checkout is a great tool for us to assist our patrons more quickly,” Lanz said. “And we have the Friends to thank for that.”

The Friends gross about $30,000 a year from their bookstore, but that isn’t the biggest moneymaker for the group.

“Our annual Wine Soiree is our biggest fundraiser,” Hackett said.

While she wouldn’t disclose an actual dollar amount, she said the soiree brings in quite a bit of revenue.

For the event, local restaurants donate samples of their food. Wine tasting is available through New World Wine Competition.

The Friends also auction off prizes such as a helicopter ride with the police department and vacations. Door prizes are also awarded.

This year’s soiree will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

“This year will be our 17th annual soiree,” Hackett said. “So it’s always a big hit.”

Information on the event is available at 909-861-2002.

Besides being among the library’s biggest supporters, the Friends are dedicated to improving literacy in Diamond Bar. They have sponsored the Inland Valley leg of the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the past three years.

The group also sponsors Read Together Diamond Bar, an event that encourages the community to read a particular book. Various activities are held to increase the understanding and appreciation for the chosen book.

For more information on the Friends of the Library visit www.dblibraryfriends.org.

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