Book Sale Raises About $7,500 For Library

Friends of the San Leandro Library raised about $7,500 to fund children's programs and other special services at an all-day book sale Saturday.

Friends of the Library President Anna May Tandi said tha about 840 people bought books between 9:00 a.m. when doors opened at the Main Library's conference hall, and 4:00 p.m. when exhausted volunteers boxed up the remainders.

Tandi said 60 volunteers spent two days setting up for the event and another day staffing the sale.

Sixteen San Leandro High School students were among the volunteers who boxed up the books Saturday afternoon, according to senior Jessica Trinh.

Trinh is president of the California Scholarship Federation, the service club that coordinated the high school volunteers. Juniors Jovan Nelson and Sui Kwan Zhong also numbered among the student volunteers.

At the cash register at the front of the hall, Friends of the Library board member Kathy Gorham and Vice President Stephanie Jones helped Tandi get the last paperwork done.

It was a team that had worked together before, especially Tandi and Gorham, a mother-and-daughter duo who were both born in San Leandro.

"Our whole family is still here," said Tandi, the matriarch. She counted two daughters, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren among the San Leandrans who will benefit from the book sale.