Octavia’s Bookshelf transforms into a lifeline for California fire victims

Octavia’s Bookshelf has transformed into a resource center for locals displaced or affected by the wildfires.

PASADENA, Calif. — Usually, Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena, California, is filled with books. The walls are lined with titles on dark brown shelves, and customers can buy candles and other small goods, too. But for the past two weeks, the Black-owned bookshop has been packed wall-to-wall with supplies like bottles of water, hygiene products, clothes and food that are given away for free to locals impacted by the ongoing wildfire in the area. 

“The focus has always been serving the community and that means different things at different times. Right now it means something other than books,” Kiki Williams, manager of the bookstore, said. 

Overall, the multiple fires in Souther California have killed at least 27 people and dozens more may be missing. The Eaton Fire, which has ravaged parts of Pasadena and Altadena, was 65% contained as of Friday morning. 

Nikki High, the owner of the bookstore, returned to the shop last week and was shocked to learn that the building still had power. High, who has been unable to return to her Pasadena home,  immediately opened the store to displaced locals who needed to charge their phones, use their laptops and connect with their loved ones. Williams recalled the moment the simple bookstore grew into more. 

“Somehow, in the midst of all that, people just started to bring stuff,” Williams said. “And then within a few hours, I looked at Nikki and I said, ‘Nikki, we have an operation happening.’”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/octavias-bookshelf-resources-fire-victims-pasadena-rcna188053

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