Friends of the Oakland Public Library
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"Public libraries receive less than 1% of all tax dollars and are used by more than 50
percent of the population." |
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Friends of the Oakland Public Library
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by Sophie Fynland Souroujon, Member, FOPL Board of Directors |
Jim Wenninger’s opening words were: “My interest in books goes back many years.”
Jim often went to the library as a child, as “there were not many books in the house”. Favorite topics included animals and English literature. Two of his best-loved books were gifts from his sister-in-law, “Lost on the Moon” and “Voyage to Mars.”
When asked what brought Jim to The Bookmark, he says that in January 2000, while serving on jury duty, he walked along Washington Street during the two-hour lunch break and noticed the bookstore only a block away from the Oakland Municipal Courthouse. He walked in and immediately liked the place. Jim asked Bob Frey, the manager, if you could volunteer. The answer was a resounding “yes”.
| Jim has taken a fascinating path to the Bookmark. He is the
youngest of seven boys. At the age of fourteen, Jim entered St. John’s
Preparatory School followed by two years of college at St. John’s University in
Collegeville, Minnesota. St. John’s is a liberal arts college run by the
Benedictine monks to prepare young men and women to launch into careers inspired
by the Benedictine ideals of work and prayer. Jim’s second oldest brother went
to St. John’s Preparatory School before Jim was even born and is, till this day,
a Benedictine monk at St. John’s. Jim performs many tasks at the store. Sometimes, upon Bob’s request, Jim prices and inserts dates on the books (“special projects”). He also shelves books, categorizes (A-Z) them, and on special sales days (twice a year) Jim comes in and works extra shifts to help out. One of the perks of serving as a volunteer is being able to buy books at ½ price. Jim really appreciates that perk! |
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Jim joined the Benedictine Monastery at the age of twenty, where he first served in the novitiate for one year, followed by two years of study in philosophy and four years of theology. In 1961, he was ordained as a Benedictine priest.
Also in 1961, Jim began to teach at St. John’s Preparatory School, his alma mater, where he taught English, Latin and – Gregorian Chant!
In 1964, Jim was asked by the Abbott to help out in the St. Bernard parish in St. Paul, Minnesota. He remained at this parish until 1969. That same year, Jim started his one-year’s leave of absence by visiting San Francisco. In 1970, Jim left the priesthood. Eventually, Jim fell in love with a woman named Janet and married her in 1974. Their daughter was born in 1975.
Jim thoroughly enjoys helping people find a specific book that they are seeking. However, there are times when a person is just looking for “something” and Jim likes to help in the search/research of what may be of interest to the visitor. It’s a gratifying and enjoyable challenge.
Before we concluded the interview, I asked Jim if he had any particular subject that he was drawn to at The Bookmark.
The soft response was immediate. “The Spirituality section.”
Jim finds that one of the best things about The Bookmark is the ongoing turnover of the inventory. Also, Jim says that the price of books is “right” and most are in “good condition.”
Jim asked that I mention that anyone who likes books and wants to spend time to volunteer will certainly find The Bookmark as an “excellent place to do that.” Spoken straight from the heart.
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