Jason Tenuta, 17, usually has his hands full helping to run Island Coffee House in Langley. Recently, the South Whidbey High School senior’s responsibilities expanded.

Island Coffee House bought the Golden Otter Used Bookstore. The bookstore will now be operated by South Whidbey youth, just like the coffee shop.

“It’s really good hands-on experience. We look at bookkeeping, see where the money goes,” Tenuta said.

The team of 12 to 18-year-old volunteers have spent countless hours in recent weeks building bookshelves, cataloguing books and thinking up concepts to improve business at the bookstore.

“We went through 600 books,” Tenuta said.

With the determination of a seasoned business man, Tenuta added, “The upkeep on the books will help us in the long-run.”

The bookstore will live through donations. Community members are encouraged to donate all kinds of books, but Tenuta said they plan on establishing an especially good selection of books dealing with organic gardening, environmental issues and sustainable living, as well as children books.

They also plan on implementing a computer system for the bookstore inventory.

By doubling their operation and space, the coffee house team also has access to a small room that can be used for meetings and classes.

Susie Richards, learning and community engagement program director, said buying the bookstore was a logical step.

“Coffee and books go together very well,” she said.

“Seemed like it was meant to be. It’s a wonderful addition,” Richards said.

The owners made the coffee house an offer they couldn’t refuse.

“Basically, they made a very kind offer,” Richards said.

The youth program makes payments as they go, and they had some funding help from donors as well.

“The community has been really supportive for this vision,” Richards said.

The Golden Otter bookstore is a Langley tradition.

“Geri Galpin (former owner) did such a wonderful job establishing and maintaining the presence of a welcoming used bookstore in the center of Langley,” Richards said.

After Galpin passed on last year, the baristas wanted to keep the bookstore’s presence. It also meant more opportunities for youth to acquire valuable knowledge and skills about running the business of a bookstore as well as operating the coffee house.

Local kids will be trained as both baristas and booksellers. Bookstore profits will help sustain the coffee house and support the Youth in Philanthropy fund.

This won’t be the baristas’ last experience with an expanding business.

Sue Haworth, chairwoman of the South Whidbey Commons, said the Island Coffee House team will run a small café at the commons once the community center is built next year.

Island Coffee House & Books will be a community-building showcase for

collaborating with youth voices — in song, art, poetry and prose — through programs like Friday Night Live, Youth In Philanthropy and the sale of youth art.

The cafe/bookstore also offers free wireless Internet access.

As part of the Island Coffee House & Books’ Youth in Philanthropy program, the youth volunteer barista/booksellers will donate all of the tips they earn to a philanthropy account. Then, they’ll create grants with the funds to benefit programs and organizations serving youth.