By: Vivian Riehle, UC Davis undergraduate
It was a picture-perfect setting for an interview. Shelves line the walls of Logos Books, packed with books diverse in color and quality, some greying and lightly tattered, others were practically new. Above the shelves hung art, pieces I would soon learn were from a local Davis artist. The cashier sat snugly at a table in the corner, reading a book of their own. All that was missing was a good natured cat on the windowsill.
A customer browsed between the stacks, perusing books situated between the world languages section and the art and culture section. In the background, playing softly, was a subconscious stream of jazz. Alerted by the little brass bell above the entrance, I looked up from my notes, and in walked Michael and Mabel Reynolds.
Logos Books has been a downtown staple since its opening in 2017—Michael, 78, and Mabel, 77, have been dedicated volunteers for the past seven years. Logos, a functioning extension of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Friends of the Davis Public Library, is completely staffed and managed by a dedicated group of volunteers. Volunteers such as the Reynolds have found not only fulfillment in working for the store but also a strong sense of community.
Logos was originally opened to serve as a supplemental funding opportunity for Davis public library, a way to monetize book donations by reselling them—and sending the money right back to the Library. The Reynoldses were both retired when they moved to Davis in 2017, and Mabel thought, “Well, how can I be of help?” and so began her involvement with Logos. A year or so later, she convinced her husband to join the Logos family alongside her as a cashier and area expert.
Inside the operation
Public libraries serve as foundational spaces for knowledge, community, and resource access. More than 89-million Californians use public libraries each year, according to the California State Library. Yet libraries are severely underfunded and are facing harsher times with the current onslaught of government cuts. Funded by city and county taxes, often libraries are only able to cover necessities and the day-to-day functioning while programs, resources, and beautification efforts are funded by a variety of grants painstakingly applied for by libraries individually.
Books are donated to the public library, then sorted. Books are then sent to the Davis Public Library system itself, the Friends’ Monthly Book Sales, Logos Books, the Reading Garden at the Library, or a bulk distributor who services national and international bookstores, according to shop operators. Once the books make it to Logos, they are arranged by area experts: volunteers with a range of expertise in certain subject matters.
As an immigrant from Chile, Mabel said she spoke not only English but also “Spanish and French and also English” and she could “recognize all the romance languages, you know, Italian, French, Romanian, Portuguese.” With all this knowledge, Mabel is able to be a successful area expert for the Logos international languages section. Michael, a former military physician with a background in anesthesiology and wound care, is in charge of curating the military history section. Both Michael and Mabel spoke of their contributions with pride, noting that as retirees Logos provided an opportunity to get involved and help out. Mabel is not only an area expert but also serves as a cashier and “board member at large” for the Davis Friends of the Public Library.
Proceeds from both Logos and the Library Book Sale support the shop’s basic operating costs—rent, utilities, and general upkeep—while all remaining funds are donated directly to the library. Michael estimated, Friends of the Davis Public Library is able to donate “around $140,000 every year” to the public library.
A large part of Friends of The Davis Library’s success comes from its many community engagement efforts. As the Reynoldses sat across from me, they immediately drew my attention to the art on the walls. “They’re a part of the Davis ArtAbout,” Mable noted, one of the many Davis activities that Logos participates in.
Along with Davis’ 2nd Friday ArtAbout, Logos gives free books to UC Davis freshmen during fall orientation, takes part in the City’s annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail, hosts two book clubs, and holds a yearly free children’s book giveaway. To fully appreciate Logos’ role today, it helps to understand the deep historical roots of community involvement in Davis’ library system.
History of community support
According to the Friends of The Davis Library website, in 1872, two “public-spirited women” started a free lending library located on the top floor of a two-story hotel downtown on 3rd and G street. From there, the Davis Bachelor Girls—a single women’s group—was created to help financially support the public library. In 1920, the official Yolo County Davis Library was opened and housed a total of 217 books. A much smaller number than the estimated 300,000+ books housed by Yolo County libraries.
From the 1920s to the 1950s, the Library’s collection continued to grow, and in 1959, the Friends of the Davis Public Library was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit by J. Richard Blanchard, a former UC Davis librarian. The Davis Friends of the Public Library continues to support the Library through community-driven efforts. Efforts that may not be possible without the hands and time of dedicated community members.
The Reynoldses provided significant insight into the functioning of Logos, but ultimately, they showed me the heart and soul of the establishment, naming their friends and co-workers with fondness and appreciation. Mabel claimed that one volunteer, Giovanni, “practically lives at the sorting room,” dedicating a large part of his day to making sure the sorting process runs smoothly. Another board member goes above and beyond tracking sales because he is “really good with statistics.”
Many times, both Michael and Mabel mentioned the name, Phil—Philip Coleman. Coleman has been a dedicated volunteer at Logos since its inception. A retired Davis police officer, he’s behind many of the small, cumulative improvements that shape Logos. When I spoke with him, he shared some of his contributions: the mural on the side of the building—painted by a local artist—was his of his effort, and he also influenced the anagrammed doormat and window decal. As Logos’ resident handyman, he anchors bookshelves, installs storage shelves, and even puts out a dog bowl and buys treats for visiting pets.
“It just looks like little things, but a whole bunch of little things have become a big thing,” Coleman said.
As my interview with the Reynoldses progressed, a steady flow of readers came in and out to peruse the sections. The atmosphere echoed the qualities they described: books revealing small notes of thoughtfulness. And the displays took on new meaning once I understood they were arranged by the hands of various area experts. The art on the wall and the many red sold dots: evidence of neighbors who come to support local artists as well as local businesses. And sitting across from me were two dedicated volunteers who stood as representatives for what Logos stands for.
Michael noted that patrons frequently come to Logos with words of praise. To him, interactions with customers demonstrate the community’s appreciation. What’s particularly “extraordinary” to Michael are the times when patrons graciously put their change or extra cash into the donation box. “They come in with, say, a $20 dollar bill and are charged $14.50 or $16.30—they take that extra money and put it in the donation box.”
Mabel painted a joyful picture of her own experience. When a student or child comes in,“You can hear them scream, ‘Oh my God, what?’ This book is five dollars.” Often it’s five dollars for a book in the sciences or psychology section that may originally have been $30. “They come and ask ‘How? How come it’s so cheap!’ and they don’t realize it’s a used bookstore,” Mabel said.
When a community invests time into collective betterment of its town, and in this case, its library, something remarkable happens. Small acts accumulate, individuals find meaning and connection, and places like Logos become more than a store. They become reflections of the people who nurture them.
