LOCAL RETAILER • Jane & Evie’s Used Books

THE OSIDER JULY / AUGUST 2022

Evie and volunteers

JANE & EVIE’S USED BOOKS FRIENDS OF THE OCEANSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOKSTORE

WORDS: ALICIA STONE PHOTOS: LEAH LEE

In a time filled with computers, smart phones, and tablets, it’s hard for some in the youngest generation to remember a time when we stood in line at the library holding a little paper card, or happily sacrificing clothes space in our suitcase for our bulky vacation reads. When we started The Osider Magazine almost a decade ago, a large contributing factor was the realization that print media would eventually be phased out, and we wanted to preserve the importance of holding something tangible. While you can still purchase books in a large chain store or online, it’s wonderful to have the option to buy a gently used low priced copy rather than a downloaded version, because for many of us there’s nothing like the weight of a good, dog-eared book in our hands.

Established in 1971, Friends of the Oceanside Library is a non-profit organization, which’s throughout the years, has sponsored various library programs, events, and fundraisers. Jane and Evie’s Used Books opened in March of this year, and its namesakes have been involved with the organization since the mid-80s. Evie Magaña and her husband moved to Oceanside in 1956 where they met Jane and George Cheadle, and their shared community activism quickly developed into a lifelong friendship. Sadly, in 2015, Jane passed away, and when George had a suite become vacant in the building he owns across the street from the library he thought it best to honor his late wife by utilizing the space to continue her legacy through books.

Volunteer Karen Hughes, as well as ten others, work on a rotating schedule with Maggie Mula managing, and Evie and her niece LuLu there most Saturdays. Dependent solely on donations, they receive new boxes every week, and also set up a stand at our Thursday Farmers Market. Donations can be received both at the Civic Center and Mission branches of the library. The store also carries puzzles, audio books, CDs, and gift books. They’re happy to take requests for specific titles and hold them for you if they happen to come in. Their prices are extremely reasonable, and they have monthly “green dot” half-off sales in order to keep their inventory circulating.

The ladies said business has been great and they attract customers of all ages. They have especially noticed how many tourists have come in to find a good beach read, and they often see families perusing the aisles for a prolonged period of time, with one of them quietly reading in their small sitting area in the back. Being one of the few remaining used bookstores in the surrounding cities, the opening of Jane & Evie’s is a win for a community whose only other recent option had been thrifting books at shops with limited inventories.

Their current hours are Monday through Saturday, 10am to 2pm, and I highly recommend stopping in to say hello and have a chat with these amazing ladies who generously contribute their time to our community!

Jane & Evie’s Used Books 323 North Coast Highway (760) 435-5560 @friendsbookstores