Friends of the Oakland Public Library

Curtis Faville has served as a Bookmark volunteer since October 2004. What brought him to The Bookmark in the first place? Curtis says, “The world of books has been part of my life from childhood; it is second nature to me.”

He had been a sporadic customer for several years. On one of his visits, he met bookstore manager Bob Frey, and since he felt so welcomed at this place, he asked Bob if it was possible for him to volunteer on a regular basis. Bob was very happy to invite Curtis to become a volunteer and join the ranks of others who had already become part of this warm and friendly environment.
An Oakland native, Curtis and his family moved to Napa, California when he was seven years old. He was always interested in and excelled in the liberal arts (creative writing, history).

While attending Napa High School, Curtis worked after school at the City of Napa County Library and also discovered that he enjoyed writing poetry. His mother worked as a manuscript typist. Her clients included such well-known writers as Jessamyn West, M.F.K. Fisher and Arthur Haley.

As Curtis’ face lit into a smile, he said, “In our home, writing was always ‘in the air’.” These famous personalities became family friends and were part of Curtis’ rich exposure to the world of writing and imagination.

Curtis received a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, a M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa, and eventually a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

From 1974 until his retirement in August 2001, Curtis worked for the U.S. government as a Social Security Claims Representative. He knew the intricacies of government rules and regulations is essential. His service also called for caring, and other social skills that are intricately woven into the fabric of daily contact with clients and their families. Those skills served Curtis well at his place of employment. Today, as a Bookmark volunteer, Curtis continues to demonstrate that special knack of helping customers find exactly what they are seeking. And if a particular book is not available at the time, then other suggestions are offered.

When asked what Curtis considered were his prime contributions as a volunteer at The Bookmark, he notes two ideas which he had initially proposed to Bob Frey; both suggestions were implemented and are now an integral part of the bookstore.

Curtis says that a year-round bookstore supporting the Oakland Public Library enhances the Old Oakland community. Also, the inviting unpredictability and cheerful welcome is very different from bookstores that depend on high-volume, high sales to survive in today’s risky book-selling business.

The air is “not as serious” and the place itself, the physical locale, is “…so charming. Look at those tall entrance doors. Look at them. Aren’t they wonderful?”, Curtis asks.

Thank you, Curtis, for your dedication and interest in the well-being of FOPL’s Bookmark Bookstore. You, along with all the other volunteers, make this store a special, good place for all.

By Sophie Souroujon; Member, FOPL Board of Directors
 

This site developed and managed by Terry Preston

Last modified: Tuesday April 17, 2007