So yesterday I told you about the serious threat leveled at our school district’s librarians and,
by consequence, our kids.
The issue’s even been picked up by School Library Journal. 
Oi.
Not our proudest hour.

But.
Operating under the assumption that love can put things a’right (which is probably either a radically proactive or pathetically naive assumption) I’m going to counter that threat with a little shout out to some of my favorite librarians. 

I’d love it if you did, too. Here’s your formal invitation. 

Today I honor and thank the librarians who’ve most closely touched my own kids:

Kim Lehman, song and storytime maven at the Twin Oaks branch when both Tall and Small were Teeny. Kim is part librarian and part magician, I think. She can spin a sour hour into a morning that feels easy and soothing and funny and fun. Kim with her hats and songs and finger plays, and books upon books upon books. My girls learned to chew board books with the best of ’em there…

Jackie Kraal, the owly-wise librarian-mind-reader at our elementary school. Jackie knows more than 500 children by name, and she knows where they’re at with their reading, and she knows what they’re into. I’ve seen her, many times, call out to a child in the hall to say, "Come by the library! I just got a book that will be perfect for you!" And she’s always right. My girls learned to read with Jackie’s help, and more importantly, they learned they can read what they love.

Alison O’Reilly, the clever and ever-patient youth librarian at Austin’s Central branch. Alison is the perfect partner-in-crime for kids who are looking for something specific or, sometimes, heart-wrenchingly vague (see "ever-patient"). She is open and passionate so kids of all ages approach her and she is always at the ready, making them feel like they’re the most important part of her job. My girls learned to speak up, and to ask for what they want and need at Alison’s desk. 

Sheesh. That’s a lot, huh?
Multitudes of gratitudes to Kim and Jackie and Alison — for being the perfect literary touchstones for my kids and so many others…

Namaste.