From the Library: Reading with the lunch crowd

Working with children is always one of the best jobs around and my years as youth services librarian in the Peterborough, N.H., community left me with some of the very best memories. My “customers” there were the area’s children between the ages of a few days to 18 years. I’ll never forget the delight and pride in the eyes of singing toddlers, reading kindergartners, after-school visitors, and graduating seniors.

A Chinese philosopher has been credited with saying, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Confucius certainly got that right and librarians are here to prove it.

Since becoming a library director in 2005 I haven’t had as many opportunities to serve those youngest populations and I miss them. Excel sheets and long-range planning have replaced young adult groups and story time planning. Personnel manuals and budgets have replaced picture books and after-school games. I haven’t even had the time to keep reading some of the best books of all: those of children’s literature.

When I found out the date of the 11th Annual Literary Luncheon to be held at the Coakley Middle School this year I already had a tentative commitment to attend a workshop at the Massachusetts Library Association Conference in Springfield. I knew where my priorities lay, however, and immediately switched gears and planned to attend this important Norwood tradition. The children in the Norwood community are much too important and should be.

The Literary Luncheon is a collaborative effort in our community. In the spring of each school year, Coakley Middle School librarian and teacher, Marianne McGowan and Teresa Drummey, head of the English Department, team up with Morrill Memorial librarian Beth Goldman. Seniors in the community are recruited along with sixth grade students and both groups commit to reading a chosen book each year. The project culminates in a luncheon of sharing and discussion of the book. This year we read “The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place” by E.L. Konigsburg and the date was Friday, May 8, at the Coakley Middle School.

I had “one of those weeks” in the days leading up to the luncheon and was madly scrambling through the very last pages of the book the night before. It was a wonderful book and actually was hard to put down but conferences, meetings and agendas often took me away from my reading assignment. Finish I did, though, because my past life as a children’s librarian had given me loads of experience. There is no way you can fudge your way though a discussion with sixth graders if you haven’t read the book!

At least one librarian, teacher or Norwood senior citizen shared a table with four to five of the 45 students who attended. The two hours I spent at my lunch table with four bright sixth-graders were amazing. The depth of discussion, the humorous candor, and the remarkable insight brought up many memories of afternoons spent with the school-aged crowd. More than once my heart swelled with their sensitive comments, their personal reflections and their polite consideration to listen and share with their fellow readers. After this lively and enlightening discussion we were treated to a delicious lunch provided by D&G Deli and more fun followed as the students brought out each board game they had created using themes, characters and images from the book. (It was during the board game trivia moments that I was extremely thankful I’d read the book with such care!).

What amazed me even more, however, was the caring and non-competitive attitude of my companions. The one time my memory failed me they proved their compassion with a no-lose hint and saved me from humiliation.

I am saving the date for next year’s literary luncheon and nothing could be more important. I can’t think of a better way to pass the time “working” on a sunny May day. I am grateful for that very special reminder of my past … and a very hopeful glimpse into the future of Norwood’s finest – its children.

My thanks to all of Norwood’s participating seniors, librarians, teachers, administrators, school staff, volunteers and students who made this a worthwhile event and wonderful memory. Be sure to call or visit the library for all your reading needs: 781-769-0200. Visit our website, www.norwoodlibrary.org and don’t forget to read the book!

Charlotte Canelli is library director of the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood.