Library tour stops at Fun Zone

Melissa Hartson, Erik Gunderson and three friends packed the car with everything they needed for a trip to the Balboa Fun Zone on Thursday: sunscreen, lip balm, beach balls — and about 200 books.

The five Newport Beach Public Library employees volunteered for the third outing of Library-a-Go-Go, distributing their goods and promoting summer reading on the peninsula. Earlier in the summer, teams of librarians visited Peet's Coffee in Corona del Mar and Big Corona State Beach.

"It's really about making people aware that we are here, and encouraging them to read and to visit the library," Hartson said. "It's summertime: relax and pick up a book."

"It's good to get out from behind the desk," added library assistant Joanna Ransom.

After giving out sunscreen samples to ferry riders and workers, Thursday's band of bibliophiles set up camp outside Marina Boat Rentals. Some Fun Zone frolickers passed by skeptically, though many others paused at the offer of free goodies.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," said Beth Cenicola, the first visitor. "I am looking for something for my grandchildren."

The offering included an abundant selection of romance novels, nonfiction, mystery novels, children's stories and books for young adults.

Visiting from Long Beach, 13-year-old Tarah Marshall took her time selecting the right book.

"These are all really awesome books," she said. "I think it will really help younger people read more."

Her younger sister Tatum also left happy, clutching her new copy of "Keeping Secrets."

"It's really cool 'cause I love books," she said.

As an elementary school teacher, Heather Peyton was thrilled by the freebies, setting down her beach supplies to skim through the collection.

"It's great to get kids excited to read, and older people, too," she said, opting for a children's book to take to her first-grade classroom.

The library squad, including Claire Kennedy and Andrea Jason, packed up after an hour's work, having distributed all of their beach balls and most of the books.

"Some people were so surprised that it's free, but the library is free," Hartson said. "You can come in any time. You just have to get a card."

The Library-a-Go-Go team is set to visit one more mystery location this summer. To learn more, go to www.newport-beach.ca.us/nbpl.