Friends of the Laguna Beach Library
 
Friends of the
Laguna Beach Library
PO Box 36
Laguna Beach, CA 92652

(949) 497-1733 Ext. 6
In Memoriam
The Friend's of the Library is eternally grateful for the generosity to these individuals that chose to share their passion for literature with all of us!   

We are very lucky and grateful that we receive so many donations of used books to sell in our bookshop as well as on line. The funds we receive help pay for the programs, technology and other library supplies. We have sponsored the Star Wars robots, purchased Legos and Lego tables for kids, as well as the Read to a Dog program and many other special events at the Laguna Beach Library.


We wish to recognize the many patrons who have left their books to us when they pass on as well as the heirs who are making it happen. Many of these books are one of a kind Laguna books so we put them in the Local room in the library for all to view. We have also sold many special books to patrons. These are a few of the people who have left us with many memorable volumes.  This is the first time we are specifically recognizing these large estate donations.

 

CAROLE JEAN CARPENTER REYNOLDS 

(1924-2020)


Carole moved with her second husband Jack Reynolds to Laguna Beach in the late 1960’s. Carole spent her time working with the arts community in several capacities, as well as her work with the libraries in the local area. She obtained a Masters in Library Science and put it to good use. She built the LAM art library as well as the 10,000 - volume library at the Laguna College of Art and Design. Carole collected many, many books in her lifetime – sharing her love of books with her children. Carole went on to be president of the Friends of the Laguna Beach library and worked at the Dana Hills High School library. 

We wish to thank Carole’s daughters Kimberly and KC as well as her sons Ralf and John and their spouses and her grandchildren. Their generosity is greatly appreciated.

JOYCE CLARK


JOYCE CLARK passed away at 94 in 2010 in Oregon. Joyce went to school at Thurston Middle School and then was bused to Tustin High as Laguna Beach High School was not yet built. She had a fabulous art career and was judged into the Festival of Arts in the late 1950’s and showed her oil paintings and mosaics. Joyce continued her art in Maui and Oregon, receiving acclaim at several juried shows. After living a very full life, her son, Bruce Clark, generously brought us beautiful books of her paintings.


While we did not sell these books for income, we received enough of them to be able to hand them out to many patrons who were quite thrilled to receive them. Quite simply her art has had enormous outreach with these books going overseas and all over the United States. Joyce’s favorite quote was whenever asked about how long it took her to paint a picture she would respond, “About 24 hours and 35 years.”

DAVID MCDONALD 1939-2017


David was probably born with a book in his hand…he never stopped reading! His house was full of books-books in bookcases, books stashed in the closets, books in his car, books under the furniture. He had a love of books that covered everything from drama, art, photography and contemporary subjects. David was enrolled in the Great Books program at the University of Notre Dame, and received degrees from Yale (MFA in Drama) and Stanford (PhD in Humanities and Drama). David spent most of his adult life in Laguna Beach where he taught in the Drama Department at UC Irvine up until his passing. Dr. McDonald wished to share his books and his love of them with the local community and with that, he graciously donated many books to the Laguna Beach Library. We wish to thank his lovely wife, Maura, who spearheaded this huge endeavor. 
In Memory of David and all our past patrons

"I Opened a Book"

"I Opended a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I've left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I'm wearing the cloak, I've slipped on the ring,
I've swallowed the magic potion.
I've fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.
I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.
I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me."

-Julia Donaldson

WM. BRUCE SMITH 1943-2004

In college, Bruce began his early love of books with the Lord of the Rings series and went on from there. While he spent his career in the aerospace industry and was involved in the AYSO as Commissioner Region 54 as well as raising 3 sons, he always had time for books. Some of his favorite authors were T. Jefferson Parker, a local author, as well as Gregory Benford, Robin Cook, Mary Higgins Clark, and Ruth Rendell. He collected many first edition books in the Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Detective and Horror genre. 

Bruce often attended book signings and went to bookfairs with his family in tow. He supported many independent bookshops like Book Carnival, Vagabond Books and many others. Many thanks go to Bruce’s willingness to donate so much of his collection to the Friends of the Library and equal thanks goes to his wife, Camilla who is undertaking this enormous task of getting the collection to the Laguna Beach Library.