Book lover is volunteer of the year




Diane Haupt

Diane Haupt


By Stephanie Bertholdo
Bertholdo@theacorn.com

Book lovers who rely on Diane Haupt to locate obscure, often out-of-print books through the wildly successful Book Cellar, have a reason to celebrate.


Haupt has been named the Los Angeles County Volunteer of the Year. She will be recognized during an April celebration.


The tireless worker and self-proclaimed book nut volunteers at the Book Cellar, a used-book venue located in the underground parking garage of the Agoura Hills Library.


The cellar celebrates its third-year anniversary Feb. 23. The funky resale outlet is a treasure trove for the city and book lovers alike.


Despite budget cuts, the Agoura Hills Library is thriving and much of the library’s success is due to Haupt and scores of other Friends of the Library volunteers.


Since opening, the Book Cellar has sold about 180,000 books, and raised more than $140,000.


The money pays for the children’s summer reading program, which advocates early and frequent reading.


The program includes a variety of shows, from "Reptile Man" (where 100 slithery critters are brought to the library for children to touch), to a day dedicated to Dr. Seuss, where children make green eggs and ham and create the red and white striped hats memorialized in the "Cat in the Hat" series.


When Los Angeles County cuts aimed to cancel periodicals in the library, Friends of the Library came to the rescue with an $8,000 check for the annual renewal of all periodicals. The revenue was generated by the Book Cellar.


Eric Haupt, Diane’s husband who is also active with the Friends of the Library and other volunteer efforts, said that "Friends" has been active for more than 10 years


His wife, he said, started selling used books in 1985 at the Book Mobile located at the old Agoura Library on Roadside Drive.


When the new library opened, the Friends of the Library donated $100,000; the money was used to upgrade the Stickley furniture, build a fireplace and install a stunning stained glass window.


Haupt said that while the recognition is "lovely," she just enjoys working at the Book Cellar and "keeping it going."


"I love the smell, feel and the weight of books, in addition to what’s in them," Haupt said.


She added that she loves to meet people who love books as much as she does. While she can’t always remember their names, she never forgets the book they purchased (for 50 cents to a dollar) or the book they’d like.


If books her customers want aren’t available at the Book Cellar, Haupt enjoys hunting for them at thrift stores.


"I have a knack for finding books," she said.


Sometimes serendipity comes into play.


A customer, who stopped by the Book Cellar seeking a particular kosher cookbook, didn’t have to wait long. The book was donated within two days.


Eric Haupt mentioned one customer who had been looking for an obscure book for more than 10 years. After mentioning the title to his wife, Haupt not only remembered that the Book Cellar had received the book, but knew where it was shelved. The customer was so happy to have finally found the book, that she gave Haupt $10 instead of the customary $1 for a hardcover book.


The Haupts once traveled to Pasadena when they heard that someone was going to throw books away.


It turned out many of the books were beautiful art books, and if the Haupts had waited one more day the books would have been ruined in the rain.


Raya Sagi, the community library manager, said, "Diane is more than a volunteer. She really knows the collection."


She added that Haupt also has a great sense of style, and found a rocking chair that fit "exactly the look of the library."


Sagi also credits Haupt for having the vision to make the basement into such a profitable store.


"(Diane) really sees things for the future," she said. "When she saw the basement, she knew she could make a bookstore (out of it)."


Last year, the Book Cellar generated an average of $650 per week. Eric Haupt said that this year the store is selling about $900 worth of books each Saturday.


"The way it’s been running now, it’s just crazy," he said.


Haupt is content to carry on her hard work at the Book Cellar with other volunteers, collect Elizabethan books, and read "Cozies," which she said are "little mysteries."


"Her love is books," said her husband. "She is the book lady."


The Book Cellar is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


It is located in the basement of the Agoura Hills Library at 29901 Ladyface Court.


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