Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Librarian on the Roof! A True Story
Illustrator: Stephen Gilpin
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 6 to 8
Albert Whitman & Company, 2010 ISBN: 978-0807545126
The town of Lockhart in Texas had the oldest public library in the state. Once the library was popular and well visited, but over time the books became “old and dusty” and the library was mostly empty. Then a new librarian arrived and everything began to change. RoseAleta Laurell was bouncy, loud, and she was determined to bring people back into her library.
With energy, RoseAleta found ways to bring patrons back to the library – the adult ones that is. The children stayed away, and RoseAleta realized that what the library needed was a proper children’s area. Everyone loved the idea, but there was no money to fund such a project.
After trying to raise the money in a number of ways, RoseAleta decided that she needed to do something radical. Which is how the library in Lockhart ended up having a librarian on its roof for a whole week. RoseAleta was going to do whatever it took to encourage the people in her town to raise the money for the library’s new children’s section.
This true story serves as an amusing and colorful tribute not only to RosaLeta Laurell, but to all librarians who have gone beyond the call of duty to make their libraries better. One can only imagine what the world would be like if we all had RosaLeta’s courage, sense of humor, and her steadfast determination to get the job done.
