Daily Inspiration: Meet Christine Romero

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Romero.

Hi Christine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started off my career as a Floor Manager for Macy’s in Burbank, but working for a large retail company wasn’t what I really wanted to do, so I began working at smaller independent stores. That’s where I began buying merchandise. When an assistant manager position opened at The Library Foundation of Los Angeles, in The Library Store, I eagerly applied. I love reading and the Central Library, so this felt like the perfect fit. I was hired in 1999, and when the manager left to become a librarian, I stepped into her role. As the position expanded with the addition of an online store and greater digital presence, I was promoted to Director of Retail Services. It’s now been 26 years, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else.
Being part of a non-profit organization brings my love of finding unique products together with supporting an institution I value. The focus of the store is reading, writing and pride for Los Angeles, but it’s not stuffy or serious. We like to have fun, and our products (and our Instagram account!) reflect that.
I am currently trying to source more locally made products and recently added a Reading Brings Us Together t-shirt to our line that was sewn and printed in Los Angeles. Alex Vidal, the artist who created the cool illustration that’s on the shirt, is also local. It’s important to me to collaborate with artists and makers from the area and to offer unique products you can’t find elsewhere.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always challenges to face in the world of retail! The biggest thing for me was the pandemic. Our brick-and-mortar store was closed for 16 months, and we only offered limited online shopping during that time. When we reopened, DTLA had changed a lot. Our lunchtime business crowd wasn’t coming into the area anymore, as everyone was working from home.
It took time to rebuild foot traffic for the store and get the word out again that the Library is here, and we are a wonderful place to buy fun, unique gifts and stationery. We still aren’t back to where we were before the pandemic, but we are getting closer!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My love of reading and the library are what set me and The Library Store apart from others. I grew up in Grants Pass, OR, going to my local library and reading as much as I could. I spent several years in San Francisco where I received an Associate of Arts degree in Merchandise Marketing. While living there, I was on public transportation a lot and reading romance novels and young adult books were easy, fun alternatives to the classics. I still enjoy reading whenever I have time and my favorite genre is historical fiction.
Some people have a misconception that libraries are stuffy, quiet places and that is untrue! They are vibrant community spaces, and the store reflects that. I also love Los Angeles and go out of my way to find products that highlight our special city. I even created a custom blended tea that captures the “flavor” of LA.– with a combination of black tea, oranges and jasmine flowers, it evokes the sort of eternal summer feeling we have in Southern California. Locals and tourists alike come to us for our great collection of products that showcase our incredible city.

Working for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and being at Central Library put me in a position where I could combine my passion for books with my retail experience. When I moved to Los Angeles in the early 90’s, I used to visit Central Library at least once a month. I love the architecture and feeling of being in this beautiful building. Next year, Central Library will be celebrating its centennial and I’m enjoying doing research to bring back some commemorative merchandise from past years.
My passion project that is currently in production is a pewter and marble Sphinx Bookend that was created for a campaign called Save the Books. It was made as a fundraiser after the arson fire in 1986 that closed Central Library for 7 years. With the help of Christina Rice, Senior Librarian, Photo Collection, I was able to connect with the original artist, Michael Medina. He creates pieces of art, and after many emails and phone calls, he was hired to make a new version of this product, which will be sold in 2026.
The architecture of the building inspires other LAPL-branded products; for instance an Art Deco Tote, which features a Deco style screen-printed book and torch pattern that evokes Central Library’s artistic roots. In fact, the architecture of Central Library and the branches across the city inspired our new best seller Central Library & Branches Architecture Print. It depicts all of LAPL’s 73 branch buildings, which together create a unique visual narrative about our city’s history, style, and community.
It’s so gratifying to spend my working days in such an inspiring building, where my desire to continue learning can be fed and nurtured.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shop.lfla.org/
• Instagram: @thelibrarystore
• Facebook: @thelibrarystore