Librarian on the Roof! a True Story

When RoseAleta Laurell arrives at the Dr. Eugene C. Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas, she bursts in with a hearty “GOOD MORNING,” and is promptly shushed so as not to disturb the readers. “HORSEFEATHERS! WHAT READERS?” she correctly remarks. RoseAleta makes sweeping changes to the library, bringing in new books and magazines, and a welcoming, lighthearted atmosphere, which the rich, the poor, the farmers, and the townsfolk… but not the children. RoseAleta plans parties and parades and attractions for the children, but they remained reluctant to come to the library: “The library is for grownups,” they said. RoseAleta realizes that children need a space just for them, with lots more books, color, cozy chairs, and computers. show more After fundraising attempts fell short, RoseAleta takes extreme measures: she decides to go to the top of the library roof and stay there until enough funds are secured to build a proper children’s library. Her drastic step raises awareness, and the town springs into action. The $39,000 raised transforms the library – and the town.

Curriculum: this would be a great mentor text to use for summarizing non fiction texts in a secondary classroom.

King, M.G. (2010). Librarian on the roof! (S. Gilpin, illus.). Chicago: Albert Whitman and Company. show less

Full disclosure - I know the author via GoodReads, because she hosts the group Great Middle Grade Reads. However, I would have wanted to read this book anyway, because libraries are my favorite places and librarians are my favorite people.

The book did not disappoint. Pictures, story, and book design work together to make Miss RoseAleta's point that Respectable towns have libraries filled with children." It's a serious message, presented lightly, and will probably motivate readers to dare to make a change. That is to say, it'd be a funny and cute enough adventure if it were fiction, but the fact that it is a true story gives it real impact."

A fun and engaging picture book about Librarian RoseAleta Laurell and her quest to fund the childrens area of her library. Loud and boisterous, her opening "GOOD MORNING!" disturbed the old librarian, who told her she was disrrupting the readers. She replied "What readers?" and was quite correct, for there were none. The old library was devoid of readers, and kids went nowhere near the old place. So, after fundraising attempts failed she took drastic action and set up a tent on the roof, vowing to not come down until it was funded. One week, storms and rain and $39,000 later, the town had the money and she came down triumphantly after being a tourist attraction.
All in all, a good picture book with a fun and true story!

Beautifully and colorfully illustrated and based on a true story, Librarian on the Roof is an interesting tale of one woman's determination to raise money for her library. RoseAlita Laurell spends an entire week camped out on the library's roof and she refuses to come down until enough money is raised to make a children's area. Her determination and spirit not only brings the people of Lockhart together, but also changes the oldest library in Texas into a place that new young readers love to vis...moreBeautifully and colorfully illustrated and based on a true story, Librarian on the Roof is an interesting tale of one woman's determination to raise money for her library. RoseAlita Laurell spends an entire week camped out on the library's show more roof and she refuses to come down until enough money is raised to make a children's area. Her determination and spirit not only brings the people of Lockhart together, but also changes the oldest library in Texas into a place that new young readers love to visit. While I enjoyed this story, my six year old daughter did not; so I split the difference and gave it three stars. show less

"Library on the Roof" is a book about what happens when a new librarian, RoseAleta, comes to the small, quiet town of Lockhart, TX. She wants to update the quiet library and make it more inviting for children. To do this, she feels she needs to get the whole town involved. In order to do this, she climbs to the roof of the library to get everyone's attention and says she is going to camp out there until the library raises enough money to fund the children's area of the library. The town pulls together and raises double what RoseAleta had originally aimed for. This story is an excellent example of how a community can come together and do the impossible!

Librarian on the Roof is the true story of how RoseAleta Laurell upgraded the oldest library in Texas. To encourage more children to visit the library, RoseAleta campaigned for the addition of a section just for children. To raise the needed funds she camped out on the roof of the library until almost twice the money needed was raised. Vibrantly colored illustrations highlight RoseAleta’s week long adventure. Librarians and library fans alike will enjoy this delightful picture book. It would make a great gift for your favorite librarian. Recommended for Kindergarten through third grade.

Librarians are modern day heroes and champions who create spaces for people to gather and find information. We never stop fighting for equality, equal access, and a place in this world!