Month: May 2026

Hello Friends! Our recent discussions on the importance of picture books have had me thinking a lot about children’s literature in general, and the place it has in my own history of readership. The books I read in childhood played a substantial role in shaping me as a reader, a student, and a person. But…

Oh, boy. Right now, the drama in the world of children’s literature is intense! It’s not about another book ban, or the death of a literary hero, or something else that leaves me teary and deflated. It is something I can actually sink my teeth into! The drama is the result of a single quote…

Hello, everyone! This week it’s my turn to act as Matthew’s substitute while he enjoys vacation. Coinciding with the start of Matthew’s travels, a week or two ago we received a copy of an old travel guide to Rome. Its copyright being 1978, it is far too elderly to include in our collection of travel…

The other day, a visitor asked me a question that I did not entirely know how to answer: why does Skidompha have so many mysteries in our collection? At the time, the only response I had to offer was: well, people like them. But I have been thinking about it in the meantime, and have…

Hello Friends, I’ll be away from Skidompha for a few weeks in May. The library will be in the best of hands while I am gone as Terry, Chloe, Meghan, Hannah, Gab, Becky, and Samantha do their usual superlative work and keep things running smoothly. Authorship of this weekly letter will be shared among staff,…