Beach Reporter profiles Bill and Charlotte Malone

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8 ? The Beach Reporter ? March 5, 1998
HERMOS!
Bright Lights
Bill and Charlotte Malone
by Thomas Weede
If Clyde "Bill" and Charlotte Malone
tell you their life together is like an open
book, don't be surprised.
For much of their almost 50 years of
marriage, the Hermosa Beach couple has
shared not only a love of reading but also
a dedication to one of Hermosa's most en-
during institutions ? the city's public li-
brary.
Through their hours of volunteer work
with the Hermosa Beach Friends of the
Library, they have been instrumental in
seeing that the facility gets needed books
and supplies.
Charlotte has
been president
of the Friends of
the Library six
times over the
years, and now
serves as vice
president.
She has been
chairman of the
group's book
sales for more
than 10 years.
The sales bring
in most of the
group's funds.
"I've always loved libraries and books
and I thought that this was a wonderful
group, supporting the library," said
Charlotte, who joined the Friends of the
Library almost 40 years ago.
She pours through hundreds of books to
organize a book sale, everything from fic-
tion to new age philosophy to health
books.
"I have the time, and I really care about
the quality of our library," she said. "It's
an institution in our town, and I feel I can
Bill and Charlotte Malone
do something to make it better."
Bill, who is semiretired from his law
practice, has served as the group's trea-
surer for almost 20 years, and is a past
president.
"I'm interested in books and reading,"
he explained. "I felt like doing some good
for the community and helping Charlotte
do the same thing."
Assistant City , Clerk Naoma Valdes,
who was a founding member of the
Friends of the Library in the late 1950s,
said that Bill and Charlotte contribute
tremendously to the group
"It's been their burning passion for
years and years
and years," she
said. "I think
the organization
would have col-
lapsed if it had
not been for
them."
The group's
immediate past
president, Tim
Ferguson, said
that Charlotte
spends untold
hours organizing
the book sales,
and that she rallies the troops.
"Though we have a small, but loyal
volunteer group," he said, "she's the one
who rounds every one up basically, which
is no small feat."
The Friends group has raised more than
$400,000 over the years. Its fund-raising
efforts have paid for such things as chil-
dren's books and programs, magazine sub-
scriptions, computers, color printers and
decor for the library. Last year they raised
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sright Lights
(Continued from Page 8)
more than $17,000.
The funds come at a time when the op-
erating budget for the library from the
county has been cut in recent years down
to about $12,000 a year, from $30,000 to
$49,000.
Because of the cutbacks, there has been
talk of having the Hermosa library break
away from the Los Angeles County sys-
tem, although no action is imminent.
"I support encouraging the county
keeping the library open more hours,"
Charlotte said. "We pay for more hours.
Thirty-five hours (a week) just doesn't do
it. We used to be open 45 hours."
The couple's civic involvement has not
been limited to the library over the years.
Charlotte also is a member of the Her-
mosa Woman's Club, is a past president of
the Parent-Teacher Association and served
as Hermosa City Clerk from the late 1970s
to 1984.
Bill is a past president of the Hermosa
Beach Friends of the Arts, was a Hermosa
Civil Service Commissioner and was pres-
ident of the Hermosa Little League.
Charlotte served in the Marine Corps
during World War II stationed at the El
Toro Marine Base, and Bill served in the
Navy overseas. Charlotte and Bill have two grown chil-
dren, and met at USC when she was earn-
ing her bachelor's degree in Slavic studies
and he was studying law.
There will be two book sales in March.
The first will be from 9 to 11 a.m. prior to
the St. Patrick's Day Parade March 14
Another book sale is scheduled for March
21 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The book
sales are held at the library at 550 Pier
Ave.