For the Love of Books
Everything for Everyone, and all the Time: The Public Library in the 2020s
The 2026 Friends of the Claremont Library's For the Love of Books presentation was held at Mt. San Antonio Gardens on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Our speaker was familiar to many - our former Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, Amy Crow. She is currently serving as Assistant Regional Administrator for the West Region of the LA County Library system.
Amy presented some eye-opening information about the many services the modern library can provide to community members. She explored how public libraries are transforming into a vibrant resource for new and broader needs of our communities while maintaining traditional services - robust collections, lending, educational programming, and offering free and open spaces, and adding enhancements like tool lending, virtual programming, and maker spaces.
As always, the Friends of the Claremont Helen Renwick Library brought a fine selection of books from their bookstore, priced to sell.
The 2026 Friends of the Claremont Library's For the Love of Books presentation was held at Mt. San Antonio Gardens on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Our speaker was familiar to many - our former Claremont Helen Renwick Library Manager, Amy Crow. She is currently serving as Assistant Regional Administrator for the West Region of the LA County Library system.
Amy presented some eye-opening information about the many services the modern library can provide to community members. She explored how public libraries are transforming into a vibrant resource for new and broader needs of our communities while maintaining traditional services - robust collections, lending, educational programming, and offering free and open spaces, and adding enhancements like tool lending, virtual programming, and maker spaces.
As always, the Friends of the Claremont Helen Renwick Library brought a fine selection of books from their bookstore, priced to sell.
About the For the Love of Books Committee
The For the Love of Books Committee (FTLOB) was established in 2012 to celebrate and enrich book groups in the Claremont area. FTLOB gathers information from local book clubs about what their members have read each year. Below are PDF reading lists from participating book clubs for the previous year. Click on the link to view or download the file.
2026 • 2025
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020
2019 - None compiled
2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014
2013 • 2012 • 2011
2010-2022 Summary > Most Frequently Chosen Books by Claremont Area Book Clubs, 2010-2022 (PDF)
In addition to connecting with the speakers, this is the annual celebration of book groups, where you have the opportunity to meet other book lovers, enjoy refreshments provided by the Gardens, join the Friends of the Claremont Library, and receive a copy of the annual Compendium of Claremont-Area Book Group Reading Lists.
The For the Love of Books Committee (FTLOB) was established in 2012 to celebrate and enrich book groups in the Claremont area. FTLOB gathers information from local book clubs about what their members have read each year. Below are PDF reading lists from participating book clubs for the previous year. Click on the link to view or download the file.
2026 • 2025
2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020
2019 - None compiled
2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014
2013 • 2012 • 2011
2010-2022 Summary > Most Frequently Chosen Books by Claremont Area Book Clubs, 2010-2022 (PDF)
In addition to connecting with the speakers, this is the annual celebration of book groups, where you have the opportunity to meet other book lovers, enjoy refreshments provided by the Gardens, join the Friends of the Claremont Library, and receive a copy of the annual Compendium of Claremont-Area Book Group Reading Lists.
Previous Events
The Real Lives of Claremont's Book Groups
On April 27, 2025, the For the Love of Books presentation focused on who the Claremont book groups are, what characterizes their reading preferences, how our groups function and why we come together. Local book group expert Diane Tickton Schuster took us on a journey through the history of book groups. (photo below) Friends of the Claremont Library Board Member Laura Mulroy shared thoughtful insights from a survey of local readers.
Laughter, memories, and a few new friendships filled the afternoon. Attendees received a copy of this year's For the Love of Books Compendium, a bright yellow packet listing what 44 Claremont book groups read in 2024.
2025 FTLOB Co-Hosts were Rose Ash, Penny Garris, Brenda Barham Hill, Laura Mulroy, Lanore Pearlman, Margaret Russell, Sandi Shannon and Diane Tickton Schuster.
The Real Lives of Claremont's Book Groups
On April 27, 2025, the For the Love of Books presentation focused on who the Claremont book groups are, what characterizes their reading preferences, how our groups function and why we come together. Local book group expert Diane Tickton Schuster took us on a journey through the history of book groups. (photo below) Friends of the Claremont Library Board Member Laura Mulroy shared thoughtful insights from a survey of local readers.
Laughter, memories, and a few new friendships filled the afternoon. Attendees received a copy of this year's For the Love of Books Compendium, a bright yellow packet listing what 44 Claremont book groups read in 2024.
2025 FTLOB Co-Hosts were Rose Ash, Penny Garris, Brenda Barham Hill, Laura Mulroy, Lanore Pearlman, Margaret Russell, Sandi Shannon and Diane Tickton Schuster.
The Creation of an Indie Press
On Sunday, March 17, 2024, the For the Love of Books committee hosted a presentation by Dennis Callaci and Mark Givens, the creators of Bamboo Dart Press, on their important local publishing venture. They brought three clients with them:
Read more information about this exciting event on its flyer: ftlob-march17-indiepressevent-s.pdf
On Sunday, March 17, 2024, the For the Love of Books committee hosted a presentation by Dennis Callaci and Mark Givens, the creators of Bamboo Dart Press, on their important local publishing venture. They brought three clients with them:
- Allen Callaci: lead singer of the band Refrigerator, author of Heart Like a Starfish
- Margot Hover: a spiritual director whose books include Four and Twenty Blackbirds and Caring for Yourself When Caring for Others
- Richard Brown Lethem: a Claremont artist and poet. His book is Roots, Stones, and Baggage.
Read more information about this exciting event on its flyer: ftlob-march17-indiepressevent-s.pdf
The Friends of the Claremont Helen Renwick Library often bring a fine selection of books from their bookstore, priced to sell.
