West Maui bookstore volunteers Harold and Vivian Hyman help the Maui Friends of the Library prepare for its grand opening. People wishing to volunteer for a four-hour, once-a-week shift at the store, or interested in donating books, can call the store at 667-2696.

LAHAINA – The new bookstore in Lahaina operated by the Maui Friends of the Library will have its grand opening on Tuesday, Dec. 27, starting at 2 p.m. on the third floor of The Wharf Cinema Center on Front Street.

All are invited. The store is located next door to the movie theaters.

Store Manager JoAnn Carroll noted that Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa will cut the giant ribbon to officially open the store, and Rev. Gensho Hara, pastor of Lahaina Jodo Mission, will perform the blessing.

Several members of the Maui Friends of the Library board will attend, including President Dorothy Tolliver. Refreshments will follow the opening ceremony.

Some of Maui’s noteworthy authors will also be on-hand to sell and sign their books, including Lahaina News columnist Norm Bezane, whose book “Voices of Maui, Natives and Newcomers” features interviews with some of the area’s most interesting people; William Briggs of “Rock the Boat Gently,” a book of poems of the sea, Maui County places and Hawaii; and Barbara Sharp, whose seven mystery books give spellbinding tales that take place in Lahaina.

According to Carroll, the new Maui Friends of the Library Bookstore houses a collection of more than 3,500 gently-used books with particularly strong collections of general fiction, mysteries and science fiction; history and military books; and biographies.

She noted that the children’s collection is also strong with titles appealing to keiki from two years old to young adults.

DVDs and CDs are available for sale as well.

Many books are available for $1 or $2. Most, except a few collectables, are no more than $5.

All revenues from sales support Maui Counties’ eight public libraries, including Lahaina, Wailuku, Kahului, Makawao, Kihei, Hana, Lanai and Molokai. The store, staffed by volunteers, is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Maui Friends of the Library donated more than $150,000 to the libraries in 2010-11, including funds for electronic self-checkout systems for both the Lahaina and Kihei Public Libraries, so that library staff could have more time to help patrons. The group also funds many children’s programs throughout the year.

The Maui Friends of the Library, with help from the Rotary Club of Lahaina, is spearheading a drive to renovate the 55-year-old Lahaina Public Library. The facility needs new flooring, center area bookcases to improve airflow, fresh paint and a new circulation desk.

Last year, funds raised through a Rotary Club benefit and donations from the Maui Friends of the Library paid for new furniture for the adult section of the library to replace tables and chairs badly damaged by termites. The new furniture is termite-proof.

To accomplish the Lahaina Public Library renovation, cash donations are still needed. Donations can be made at the Maui Friends of the Library Lahaina Bookstore or mailed to MFOL, P.O. Box 1017, Wailuku, HI 96793. Donors can designate Lahaina as the intended recipient. Donations to the nonprofit MFOL are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged promptly.

Lahaina is the second bookstore operated by MFOL. The store is made possible through the cooperation of the owner and management of The Wharf Cinema Center. MFOL’s other bookstore is in Puunene near Alexander and Baldwin’s Sugar Mill and Museum.