Dragonfly Books is a true family-run operation. The store has been owned by Joanne Boomer and her sister Sharon Jensen since 2008. At any given time you’ll find either Joanne or Sharon in the shop — and Joanne’s husband Ted looks after the accounting.
Joanne and Sharon purchased the stock from Janet Murdoch, owner of the Langford Book Exchange. That store was established in 1961 by Janet’s grandfather, Walter Sabell, who ran it until he passed away. His daughter, Dot Taylor, took over in 1972, and Janet ran it until she retired in 2008.
The Langford Book Exchange closed its doors, and a month later — after extensive renovations and a thorough going-over of the stock — it reopened as Dragonfly Books.
Over the years, Sharon and Joanne have come to know their customers’ tastes, keeping up with the latest releases and current authors while always having old favourites on hand. If they can’t find what you’re looking for, they’ll add you to the request list and let you know when it comes in.
Inside the shop
