Librarians come alive

By Shannon Schinagl

Sensible shoes. Hair in a bun. Glasses perched on the tip of a nose. Tweed suits. Do you recognize the occupation? Shhhhh! Whisper the answer! You're in the library!

Yes, librarians have been battling this stereotype for years. Thankfully, books are helping us change our image.

While some books work subtly to show librarians in a different light, others make it their mission. There are books about librarians in every genre, and for readers of every age.

Romance in the library? Yes, indeed. Try "The Dewey Decimal System of Love" by Josephine Carr. While librarian Alison Sheffield outwardly fits the librarian stereotype, behind the scenes she's solving a murder, investigating a library break-in, and, of course, falling madly in love.

Perhaps you prefer mysteries. In that case, choose a book from the "Miss Zukas" series by Jo Dereske, set in imaginary Bellehaven, Wash. Miss Zukas, town reference librarian, seems to solve a murder almost every week.

If your busy schedule only allows for short bursts of reading, check out "In the Stacks: Short Stories about Libraries and Librarians," edited by Michael Cart. This collection includes classic, as well as modern, short stories, from authors well known to unknown. You'll be hooked in short order.

Maybe you don't want to read any stories at all; nonfiction is your preference. In that case, one new book will have you wondering what, exactly, is going on down at your local branch. "Free for All: Oddballs, Geeks and Gangstas in the Public Library" by Don Borchert, gives you a true behind-the-scenes look at life in a public library in California. This book will have you laughing out loud, as well as thinking about the issues that librarians face.

While on the subject of laughing, people of all ages enjoy comic books. The "Unshelved" comics by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum somehow balance real daily life in the public library with ridiculous situations. Take a break from the comics in your daily newspaper, and check out one of this comic strip's six volumes.

Several books for children make it clear that librarian stereotypes are a thing of the past. There are a number of picture books about librarians for the youngest readers. "Library Lil," by Suzanne Williams, saves her town from too much television watching ... and a motorcycle gang!

To meet librarians from around the world, check out the nonfiction title "My Librarian Is a Camel" by Margriet Ruurs. These librarians serve their patrons from 18-wheelers, "book boats," and wheelbarrows!

For a look at a more serious situation, introduce your children to "The Librarian of Basra: A True Story of Iraq," in which Alia organizes the community to secretly move and save all 30,000 books in her library, which burns down nine days after she finishes.

Older children may want to try a book of short stories by Newbery Award-winning author Jerry Spinelli. In "The Library Card," four kids' lives are transformed by a magic library card that comes to them just when they need it. Teens may want to look into "Here Lies the Librarian" by Richard Peck, also a Newbery Award-winning scribe. Fourteen-year-old Peewee McGrath cannot believe the upheaval in her small town when four young librarians move in.

Once you begin reading about librarians, you'll never view us the same way again. If I see you in the library, eyeing us suspiciously, I'll know that you're on to us.

Shannon Schinagl is the children's librarian at the Delridge Branch, 233-7292