Little Readers Share Big Love for the Library
Some of the best stories in the library don’t come from our books, but from our visitors, and often out of the mouths of babes.
We treasure these stories. They remind us of the magic effect that a library and books can have on a child.
The 10 library branches are buzzing this summer with all kinds of visitors. If you listen closely, as we do, you may hear some wonderful stories.
- A staff member at the Brentwood Branch Library was helping a young boy and his mother at the check-out desk. The little boy was telling his mom how much he needed a library card. The mother suggested, “Let's ask the lady how old you have to be to get a card.” The staffer told them, “Well, we leave that up to you.” Immediately the little boy turned to his mother and said, “Eight, you have to be eight.” He got a library card.
- One staff member watched a little boy who was putting his book in the book drop. Just before he let go, he gave the book a big hug and a kiss.
- This note arrived with a colorful drawing: “Hi my name is Samuel. I’m 5. This is my 2nd best drawing.”
- An email from Jacquelyne was signed with a smiley face and a heart emoticon, and said simply, “...I started the summer reading program on May 30. I used to hate reading and now love it. I am going to be a meteorologist when I grow up. Do you have any suggestions on Weather or Storms books?”
- A Midtown Carnegie Branch staffer relayed, “We have two little skater dudes. They’re around 9 or 10 years old. Here was one of the questions: “Isn’t it a rule all librarians have to wear glasses?” I told them no, but we love books and read so much our eyes get tired. So some of us wear glasses.”
- One of our favorite regular patrons is enthusiastic, 6-year-old Amanda. As she was leaving the children’s department recently, she yelled over her shoulder to a staff member, “And just so you know, we’ll be back here when you open tomorrow!”
Vickie Hicks is community relations director for the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She can be reached at vickieh@thelibrary.org.
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