It’s been just over two years since the Turlock Library reopened their doors at 550 Minaret Ave. following a massive expansion and renovation project that lasted from early 2020 to late 2021. As part of the project came new rooms, including a brand new space to house the Friends of the Turlock Library Bookstore. In that short time since the grand reopening, community members have been happily adding to their bookshelves without having to break the bank.

The Friends of Turlock Library Bookstore was founded in 1992. Prior to the 2020 renovation, the size of the shop was described by longtime volunteer Brooks Judd as “about that of a walk-in closet.” Today, the new space is more than quadruple in size, even featuring a front desk and a table and chairs for folks to socialize and, of course, read.

Just about every genre can be found at the bookstore. Each book, and even a few puzzles, are donated by community members and inspected by volunteers before hitting the shelves. Paperback copies are sold for just a buck while hardbacks sell for two dollars. And despite the low prices, the store has been generating an average of $100 a week, with proceeds going towards events and children’s programs hosted by the Turlock Library, as well as a storage unit filled with extra inventory.

“We had a week in November where we did $300,” shared store manager Penny Calkins. “That's a lot of books, so we need to have the inventory.”

“A lot of people will donate books, and then they'll come in and buy books. Many folks like to hang out here too,” added Judd. “It's a great win-win situation for everybody.”

The store has been so successful in recent years that there is no longer a need for the organization to host its annual book sale, which was last held at First United Methodist Church of Turlock in 2019, an event that laid out over 15,000 books for sale over a three-day period.

“Now, we make more money than the annual book sale we used to do,” shared Calkins. 

“Many people enjoyed the event, but it was very labor intensive and it was a bit of hassle trying to store all those books and then having to move them,” Judd explained. “Fortunately, financially, and as far as convenience goes, it’s not needed anymore. This space here has worked out great for us. And it’s in our beautiful library. Our library, like all libraries, should be viewed as the centerpiece of the city.”

The Friends of the Turlock Library Bookstore is open every day of the week but Sunday. It is open each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for Wednesdays, when hours are noon to 6 p.m.

For donation inquiries, email FriendsOfTheTurlockLibrary2020@gmail.com. More information about Friends of the Turlock Library can be found at www.stanislauslibrary.org/about_friends_turlock.shtm or at @FriendsOfTheTurlockLibrary on Facebook and Instagram.