Jason Dhing welcomed the 100 guests to the Novel-Tea at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library on April 2^nd.

Each woman received a long stem red rose as they were guided to their table.

The library was set up with a very long table that displayed delicious fruit, delicious sandwiches, delicious cakes and a chocolate fountain.

The tables were set up for the guests to enjoy a British style tea.

Bob Gin, Victoria Chavez, Mike Eng, Diana Garcia and Jason Dhing were enjoying the party.

Mike Eng and Larry Sullivan welcomed several old friends to the celebration.

Lilian  and Yukio Kawaratani were very happy to see their friends after 3 years due to the virus.

Bob Gin, President of the Library Foundation Board welcomed all of the guests to this very special event. It has been 3 years since the last event at the library.

He introduced Library Foundation Board: Robert Gin as President, Carol Sullivan  as Vice President, Dolores Rillos as Treasurer, Kristen Phung as Secretary, Alicia Martinez, Josephine Quach and Jason Dhing.

The Monterey Park Library Foundation raises funds to supplement the library’s budget. The Foundation raised more than $600,000 for the expanded and renovated library which opened September 9, 2006. In addition, the Foundation raised funds for the mural over the west entrance of the library. The Foundation has supported the library’s Summer Reading Program, Halloween Monster Mash and Movie Bash and Holiday Book Giveaway. In 2019, the Foundation contributed $37,000 to purchase new furnishings, displays and signage to refurbish the Teen Area as well as new computers and other equipment for the library. In 2020, the Foundation contributed $17,000 to purchase new furniture for the Adult Reading Area to replace worn-out furnishings.

The Monterey Park Library Foundation continues to purchase new books and materials for the library collection, sponsor author visits and other entertaining and informative programs and purchase new equipment including technology such as computers, iPads and Chromebooks for the use and enjoyment of library visitors and otherwise promote and support the library in its additional needs.

Bob Gin introduced The Library Board of Trustees: Travis Kaya, Andrew Yam, Larry Sullivan, Lisa Duong and Jennifer Tang.  The Staff Liaison is Diana Garcia, City Librarian

The Library Board of Trustees is an administrative board appointed by the City Council. The Library Board of Trustees has a fiduciary responsibility for the library, and each board member is asked to reveal any potential conflicts of interest. The five members are each limited to two terms of three years for a total of six years. The board governs under the Monterey Park Municipal Code, the State of California Education Code, and the Brown Act and is subject to the Monterey Park Conflict of Interest Code.

Bob Gin introduced Friends of the Library: Nancy Ishino-Gilmore as President, Rosalie Toltzman as Vice President, Lilian Kawaratani as Treasurer, Ellen Johannsen as Secretary and Lorraine Esparza as Bookstore Liaison.

Since 1962 the Friends of the Library have continued to be a positive force in the Monterey Park community by providing volunteers and financial support to the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.

Membership dues, donations, and proceeds from the sales of donated books in the Friends Bookstore allow the Friends to be an on-going benefactor for the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library. The Friends have been able to provide financial support for many regularly scheduled library programs, for special holiday programs, and for many other informational events. These programs have served adults, youth, and young children in both large and small programs. Some presentations have been singular events while others have been on-going programs that proceeded for days or weeks. The Friends have contributed funding for literary, educational, technological and cultural events to serve the diverse needs of the Monterey Park community.

Bob Gin introduced the Monterey Park elected officials: Mayor Pro Tem Thomas Wong, Councilmember Vinh Ngo, Councilmember Henry Lo, City Clerk Maychelle Yee,  City Treasurer Amy Lee, former Mayor Mike Eng  and former City Clerk Theresa Amador to the guests.

Bob Gin stated they all support all of the programs at our library. The library is here for all to read. It is the tree of knowledge. We teach young people to read. We support the library. We hope to secure a grant to purchase a book mobile library in the future.

He thanked the elected officials, the Board of Trustees, the Library Foundation and the Friends for participating in this event. We will have a good time. Please enjoy yourself.

Diana Garcia welcomed everyone to our fund raiser. The library is about community building. She advised the audience of the many services offered at our library. April is National Library Month. Thank you for attending this event.

The guests were enjoying their delicious treats at the tea party.

The Elm Trio: Marena Miki, Enni Harlen and Lauren Hsu  played classic music to entertain the guests.

Bob Gin thanked each of the  guests at their table for supporting our library.

Jason Dhing drew the 3 lucky door prize winners’ tickets and handed them their prize. He also took the bids for several donated wonderful prizes. He reminded everyone that all of the proceeds go to the library.

Bob Gin and Carol Sullivan presented Gwen Kishida with flowers for her great ideas on this library event. She always has great ideas to promote our library.

Bob Gin thanked Diana Garcia and her staff for their service to our library. He thanked Gwen Kishida for her assistance.

He thanked Jimmy Prieto from Exquisito Catering for the delicious food he served at the tea party.  To contact Jimmy please use his Instagram: ExquisitoCatering or Email: exquisitocateringla@gmail.com or call him at 562.972.3918.

Bob Gin thanked the guests for attending this special event. He stated that a book mobile may cost $80,000.

Donations Accepted: The Monterey Park Library Foundation accepts donations of any size. Organizations, businesses, and individuals who make large donations can have their name listed on the donor board in the library. For $1,000 donors can list their name, the name of someone who has passed away, their business name or the organization to which they belong.

The Monterey Park Library Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization Tax I.D. number 77-0086780.

Tax-deductible gifts made out to the Monterey Park Library Foundation should be mailed to:
Monterey Park Library Foundation
P.O. Box 1161
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Cash donations can be made to the Library Foundation. For more information, contact Gwen Kishida at 626-307-1269 or via email.