For most of my fifty years in teaching, librarians and the libraries have been my secret weapons. I have roamed the shelves searching for answers to the questions I asked about why some technique or some idea was not working. I found many answers in various disciplines other than education. In the journals and books that I couldn't afford I was able to find ways to apply these to my problems. My skill was taking ideas from more intelligent people and sources and finding ways to use them with a child, a class or for a skill or content.
In my career as a writer I have had books published by the usual publishing route, by sharing publishing costs and by self-publishing. I gave up royalties for advances because I needed the money for my large family and I found that many publishers did very little to advance sales of books that they didn't think would be best sellers.
Until I retired with much more time I couldn't do the things nor even afford the costs of mailing or phone calls that getting out the message entailed. With time to do the work in sending emails and an unlimited calling phone use -- things have changed.
So, I thought this was a good time to give back to librarians and libraries what I have been given. With all the cutbacks and depressing economy libraries are often the first to feel the sting. I know this is the result of a belief that they are "frills." I strongly disagree. I believe that they should be standing right beside schools in offering many types of education packages.
Librarians are not only experts on reading; they actually do read! (I used to ask some of my colleagues how they could get angry with students who didn't love reading when they didn't read.) Who better than librarians to inspire others to read -- and to think!
In an effort to get more students and adults into the library I have been sending librarians interesting lessons from my books to bring people into the library for discussions, for fun and even to get college credit.
I tried some of my ideas in my local libraries, but with almost no publicity from the newspapers or radio, the results were poor. We have a depressed economy and the media needs to be open to help librarians bring in the people and ideas that can make an immediate difference in their lives. The librarians need to reach out to the various print, visual and audio media to develop a relationship that benefits them all. When the media realizes the potential that librarians have for improving the community, libraries will get the publicity to effect these improvements.
I believe I have given some librarians something to think about, to feel that they are appreciated, and some practical tools to continue to be a significant influence in people's lives.
Their communities need to realize what rich resources are available.