Rain Fails to Dampen Ardor of Library Fans

It was an event that separated those willing to get their feet wet from others less committed to the cause of public literacy.

Despite a driving rain, an estimated 800 to 1,000 people showed up Saturday morning for a 3.6-mile walkathon through downtown Los Angeles to help raise money to rebuild the city’s fire-damaged Central Library.

“I didn’t have any doubt about it,” Mayor Tom Bradley told the cheering crowd in the library parking lot before the march. “When the rains came, it just meant we would be a little less comfortable. When people make a commitment, they keep it; we’re going to restore this library to its place as the centerpiece of the cultural life of this city.”

‘I Like Water’

Added Christopher Atkins, co-star of a movie, “The Blue Lagoon,” and one of several film and television celebrities on hand: “I like water, but usually (it involves) running around naked at a lagoon with Brooke Shields in it. Let’s have a good day anyway.”

Organizers said they expected the walk to raise about $20,000 toward their goal of $10 million to rebuild and expand the library that was ravaged by an arson fire on April 29. So far, they said, about $5.3 million has been raised, mostly from corporate and foundation grants. Saturday’s walk, they said, was the first of a series of events designed to publicize the cause and help bring in the rest of the money.

“This has been one of the most interesting marriages of the public and private sectors that I have ever seen,” said Carlton Norris, manager of community affairs for Atlantic Richfield Co., which is waging the “Save Our Books” campaign jointly with the city.

Walkathon sponsors, which include radio station KRTH 101, said that about 700 people pre-registered for the march by paying $10 each, with another 500 registering Saturday morning at $12 each. In addition, coordinator Pat Hines said, the library will benefit from the proceeds of a variety of concession stands selling everything from hot dogs to aprons and from corporate donations used to stage the two-hour demonstration.

Expect Donations

In addition to the $10 million sought by the “Save Our Books” campaign, city officials said, they expect to receive about $5 million worth of donated documents and books from collectors to help replace the $15 million worth of materials lost in the fire.

Currently, the collection is being housed at the library and at various warehouses throughout the city. Negotiations are still under way, Norris said, for a temporary library to be located at the former Bullock’s department store at 7th Street and Broadway until the library project is completed. Norris said he hopes that the temporary library can open early next year. The target date for opening the rebuilt library is 1991.

Saturday’s “slog-a-thon” began with the release of 1,500 helium-filled balloons stuffed with messages asking for contributions. Then, the walkers--many of them wearing soggy raincoats and huddled under drippy multicolored umbrellas--embarked on a winding route that took them through Chinatown and Little Tokyo, as well as near the Music Center and Olvera Street.

“I’ve seen more of the city of Los Angeles today than I have in my entire life,” said Debbie Lamm, 31, a Glendale secretary.

Push Child in Stroller

“We believe in literacy,” declared Russ Bellenot, 30, who completed the course pushing a stroller containing his 14-month-old daughter, Susan.

Explained his wife, Teri: “We have a kid here who will be getting into education soon. Books should be available for everybody.”

And Jackie Nienow of Agoura made the trek despite the fact that she had walked into a door jam a few days ago, breaking several toes.

“We had already promised we would do this,” she said, “so we borrowed a wheelchair. Without books, you don’t have a civilized society. This has to be the No. 1 priority in Los Angeles.”