Giving Away Your Books

 

Book Collections Weigh Heavy on Clark County Baby Boomers.

Readers pare down, decide what to take into next chapter of their lives.

Article in the Vancouver Columbian Newspaper, WA, 2/5/2023.  This article briefly describes why seniors are weeding their book collections.

• "Sale/trade

Books must be in top condition if you intend to sell or trade them.

Vintage Books, 6613 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, 360-694-9519

Powell’s Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland, 800-878-7323

Zephyr Used & Rare Books, 360-695-7767

• Donate

Books cannot be damaged. Call to arrange to drop-offs of large quantities.

Birdhouse Books, 1001 Main St., Vancouver; 360-602-1098; open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

Literary Leftovers, 813 W. Main St., Suite 105, Battle Ground; 360-342-8268; open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation, 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; 360-906-4700; accepts book donations 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; does not take encyclopedias or textbooks. (Friends of the Library groups associated with various branches also accept book donations in smaller quantities.)

Northwest Children’s Outreach, 6615 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver; 503-828-1472; accepts books in good condition that are suitable for babies through teens; open 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday

Goodwill, various locations

Little Free Libraries, various locations

Bookseller of Bakau, online used-book seller, 360-904-7367

• Recycle

According to Clark County’s Recycling A-Z guide, hardcover books cannot be recycled. First, remove the cover and discard it in the garbage. Then the paper inserts can be recycled. Paperback books can go in your blue recycling cart."

Home Again, Home Again ... Yes!!

I returned home on last Thursday afternoon from my solo yurt camping trip to Bullards Beach State Park near Bandon, Oregon.  A yurt is round and 16 feet in diameter.  No cooking or no bathroom in a yurt.  

Now, Saturday, I am back to the comforts and pleasures of the nice company of my wife, Karen.  She is an excellent cook, so no more hohum campground foods or eating out at a local cafe in Bandon.  At home, unlike the yurt, there is more space, my interesting books, large padded chairs, a large nice bed, full private bathroom, and a big screen television set (and prerecorded sports and documentaries).  I had not watched television for four days.  

We live in a 50 year old suburban house in a quiet neighborhood of many seniors in Vancouver, Washington.  We live in the northeast part of unincorporated Vancouver, called "The Orchards."  There are four large Douglas firs in our backyard and many around in our neighbor's houses.

Here are some photos of our main living room looking to the north .  Here I enjoy reading and studying, chatting with Karen, and watching TV.  I read in a big green chair.  Karen took these photos on a dark, windy, and rainy day.  Bruno, our dog, hangs around and likes the warm indoors like us.  I can easily do a compact Yang Style Taijiquan in this room by moving a few chairs.  

Each season provides new views looking north into the back yard.
The maple trees are all leafless in January.
Many branches and limbs fell during a 45 mile windstorm.
A great view from our reading chairs.

Looking to the west.  Our fireplace is quite nice and large.
Yes, the Northwest has lots of dark clouds, fog, mist and rain.  
Karen's big black chair.

I 

I converted one small bedroom into my computer room, office, library, meditation room, floor yoga and standing Qigong practice area, and reading room.  The window in this room faces south.  I have a small Taoist altar set up. 

Looking south.

Taoist altar

Taoism

Here is how my former Druid altar (ancient Roman themed) 

looked in our old home in rural Red Bluff.  This room was my
reading room with a huge green chair that I still use. 
We lived and worked in Red Bluff from 1989 to 2017.

One Old Daoist Druids Final Journey

Retired from the County of Los Angeles Public Library System on February 1, 1998

I worked for the City of Commerce Public Library (1962-1969.); and, worked for two years as the Head of Technical Services, Librarian II.  From 1969-1973 I was a Personnel Specialist E-5 in the United States Air Force.  I began my career with the Los Angeles County Public Libraries in 1974 as a Reference Librarian at the Compton Public Library.  I was the branch manager of the ELA Library for many years, and regional and systemwide audio-visual services coordinator.   I retired as the Regional Administator for East Region of LACOPL on February 1, 1998.  I worked part-time for the Corning Union Elementary School District (K-8) as the Technology and Media Services Supervisor or District Librarian from 1998 until June of 2016, and retired at the age of 70.  And, during the same period, I worked part-time for the Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff, California, as a Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and fitness instructor.

From 1985 to 1998 I worked as a Library Administrator, assigned to lead as the Regional Administator for East Region (21 libraries, 2 bookmobiles).  22 years have passed since I retired on February 1st from the Los Angeles County Public Library and moved to Red Bluff, California in 1998.

So, February 1st is a very important date in my life.  Karen and I, and our son Mick, all moved in 1998 from Hacienda Heights, San Gabriel Valley, East Los Angeles County, California, about 550 miles north to Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, California.  From huge metropolitan Los Angeles, we moved to rural Tehama County, with a population of 50,000.  Red Bluff City had around 15,000 residents.  From a small suburban lot, to a five acre parcel with a spacious home.  The Spirit of Gardening was born in 1998.

During the 1980's and 1990's period, here are some pictures of the people I had the good fortune to work with:

East Region Library Managers and Regional Coordinators

circa 1994

Administrative Council (AdCon)  COLAPL circa 1993

Margaret Wong, Mike Garofalo, Lilly Loo

How I looked back then in 1980-1990:

1999-2016 Corning Elementary School District

Technology and Media Services Supervisor

or District Librarian

Part-time 24 hours per week school year

Library Services Team CUESD
2014

Karen and I would take an unpaid week off work each February, from 1999-2014.
The deserts east of the Sierra and Cascades are great in February.

So, February 1st reminds me of past good times.

Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver WA

Last week, I visited the Firstenburg Community Center in Vancouver, Washington. This large facility offers a complete fitness center, many meeting and activity rooms, and an impressive indoor pool. The cost to me was $6.00 for an all day pass into Firstenburg. I walked the second floor indoor track for 30 minutes, and enjoyed the elevated views through large glass windows and from above the active basketball games.  Finally, I attended a very enjoyable one hour Tai Chi Chuan class conducted by Jill Ross from 12:20 to 1:20 pm.  We practiced the Yang 24 and Sword 32.  

After Taijiquan practices, I then browsed and borrowed two books from the spacious Cascade Park Community Library of the FVRL which is right next door to Firstenburg. There was ample available parking at Firstenburg, at 700 NE 136 Ave.., on the northeast side of the building.  Map View.

One could easily walk to nearby Leroy Haagen Memorial Park a bit north of Firstenburg for outdoor sidewalk and walking path jaunts.  

This is an excellent fitness facility.  The library is beautiful with many great reads, and superior inter-library request services and ebook lending.  There is a Kitchen Table Cafe and a Coffee Revolution coffee/tea room directly across the signaled street from Firstenburg, as well as a small food and drinks outlet inside of Firstenburg.  Plenty of restrooms.  Many fitness equipment options, lockers, large workout rooms.  

Firstenburg is less than a mile north of busy Mill Plain Blvd and scores of new retail stores and restaurants.  Firstenburg is about 8 miles from my home in the Orchards. I thoroughly enjoyed this outing, and this facility will definitely be part of my future pleasures. 

Firstenburg Community Center

Cascade Park Community Library

Leroy Haagen Memorial Park

Reading about Washington State

I use the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System (FVRL) [Three Creeks and Vancouver Mall libraries], and the Washington State University at Vancouver Library to borrow books about Washington State and the Northwest.  I also have purchased numerous books on these subjects since April of 2017 when we moved to Vancouver, Washington.  We have also traveled extensively in Washington  State.

Since childhood, I have always enjoyed reading books about travel, geography, science, technology, nature, and history.  Since 1998, I have done much more reading about Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. 

My next trip will be to explore the Klickitat River from Goldendale to White Salmon. 

Recently, I have read four books related to rivers or cities in Washington State.

Atomic Frontier Days: Hanford and the American West.  By John M. Findlay and Bruce W. Hevly.  Emil and Kathleen Sick Book Series in Western History and Biography.  University of Washington Press, 2011.  Index, bibliography, notes, 384 pages.  ISBN: 978-0295990972.  FVRL.  The story of the Hanford nuclear products production plants (1942-1990) and toxic nuclear waster storage (1950-) along the Columbia River; and the development of the nearby cities of Richmond, Kennewick, and Pasco, Washington. 

The Spokane River.  Edited by Paul Lindholdt.  University of Washington Press, 2018.  Index, biographies, reading list, 282 pages.  FVRL. 

Oregon River Maps and Fishing Guide.  Edited By Doug Rose.  Frank Amato Publications, 2014.  88 pages.  ISBN: 978-1571885142.  VSCL.  Many rivers flow north from the Oregon Cascades into the Columbia River: Willamette, Sandy, Hood, John Day, Deschutes.  Excellent resource for river trips and fishing. 


Washington River Maps and Fishing Guide.  Edited By Doug Rose.  Frank Amato Publications, 2013.  87 pages.  ISBN: 978-1571885135.  VSCL.  Excellent resource for river trips and fishing.  

Winter Readings: Native American Peoples

During the last few days,  a 2" blanket of snow has covered everything.  It has lingered for two days in the shady areas.  Nothing significant in terms of travel, and quite beautiful.  No outdoor work for awhile.  

I have been reading two books from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, Three Creeks Community Library, in the Salmon Creek neighborhood of northwest Vancouver.  I request books online from the library, and then pick up the reserved books and browse at the nice Three Creeks branch library.  The Three Creeks Library is very close to my daughter's home in Salmon Creek.

A Guide to the Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest. By Robert H. Ruby, John A. Brown, Cary C. Collins. Norman, University of Oklahoma, Third Edition, 2010. Index, 415 pages. ISBN: 978-0806140247. FVRL.

Native Peoples of the Northwest: A Traveler's Guide to Land, Art, and Culture. By Jan Halliday and Gail Chehak. In cooperation with the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians. Seattle, Sasquatch Books, Second Edition, 2000. Index, appendices, map, 319 pages. ISBN: 1570612412. An excellent handbook for traveling to Native American reservations, museums, cultural centers, historical sites, businesses, festivals, artists, tours, etc., in the Northwest including British Columbia. FVRL.

Corning Union Elementary School District Employment

I was employed part-time for the Corning Union Elementary School District from 1999 until July of 2016; 17 years.  

I worked during the academic school year (August to June) for 119 days each year; normally, 3 days for 8 hours per day each week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).  My schedule was flexible, and I earned overtime on many occasions.  I had unpaid vacation for a week around Thanksgiving, two weeks for Christmas, one week in February, one week at Easter, and most of the summer from June 2 to August 15.  

From 1999-2005, I was employed in a certificated position as the District Librarian.  I managed five elementary school libraries, textbooks, and computer labs.   I took two elementary education credential classes per semester at California State University at Chico during this period, so as to keep the certificated position. 

From 2006-1916, I was employed in a classified management position as the Technology and Media Services Supervisor.  I managed five school libraries, computer labs, and textbooks and consumables for 2,300 students in grades K-8.  I also wrote many grants, and did the budget management for grants totaling $4.2 million to this district.  I was also a certified substitute teacher during this period.  We opened four new libraries in this district during my tenure there.  My office was at the Maywood Middle School Library.  

Technology, Media, and Libraries Services Group
Donna, Maria, Christina, Jeanie, Jackie, and Mike in 2014

Many classes visited our five school libraries each week

Karen and a Special Education Class of students

Children Everywhere All the Time

We managed over a dozen computer labs in five schools

Our service group had many behind the scenes storage areas

Working on textbooks for 2,300 students

Student Library Volunteers

Talking with and Helping Students

Working on the East Lab Grant with Mr. Dillon

Working with great teachers like Marna Whitley

East Region Library Managers, Los Angeles County Public Library System, 1996

A hard working group of branch library managers and regional staff.  Great colleagues, and some fine friends.  We accomplished a lot with our 20 libraries in East Region.  Fond memories!  

I was the Regional Administrator for East Region, in the San Gabriel Valley, 20 libraries, from 1980-1998.  My office was at the West Covina Regional Library.  

At the time the above photograph was taken we were all at the Rowland Heights library attending the monthly Branch Managers meeting.  Back then, Mike McClintock and Billie Frierson were  assistant administrators.  Judy Valcho, Linda Siggins and Kay Simonetti were regional coordinators; and Elizabeth Koller was the office manager.  

From my memory in 2018. The top back row standing, left to right, Chuck Kaufman (Hacienda Heights), reference librarian Diamond Bar, John McClellan (Claremont), Tony Ramirez (El Monte), library assistant at Rowland Heights, Peter Rosenwald (Duarte), Elizabeth Koller (Region), Pat Libbry (Norwood), Robert Marquez (South El Monte), Sherna Cowan (Rowland), Mary Noonan (San Dimas), Dottie Nichols (Charter Oak).  Sitting, left to right, Stuart Rosenberg (La Verne), Billie Frierson (Region), Linda Siggins (Region), Mike Garofalo (Region), Sandra Novoa (Sunkist), Wilbert Hunt (Baldwin Park), Mike McClintock (Region).  Missing: Joan Livingston (West Covina), Bryan Trygstad (library), Librarian (Walnut), Judy Valcho (Region).  

As of 2018, Chuck Kaufman, Mary Miller, Claudia Moiseve, Cathy, Susanna Morneau, and John McClellan have all passed away.  

Los Angeles County Public Library System, 1998, Administrative Council

The top management group of the second largest public library system in the United States.  A very creative group of dedicated professionals, and a fine team.  I retired in 1998, and have not met with these good people again.