Central Children’s Room Memories: LaRoi Lawton

The fourth in a series of memories by people who love the Central Children’s Room of New York Public Library.

I was hired by NYPL back in 1974 by the Bronx Borough Officer Coordinator.  She was Irish woman whose name escapes me at the moment. The interview went well and I was hired under a program called CETA as a library clerk. My first branch experience was Grand Concourse and the Branch Librarian was a gentleman named Edward Orr. After a year there he recommended that I seriously consider becoming a librarian and never stopped encouraging me years afterwards. In 1978 I enrolled at Queens College via a joint program between NYPL and Queens College. In 1980 I received my MLS and have been a librarian for the past 28 years. I spent 13 years with NYPL and being a children’s librarian; I received my training, first by being exposed to the late Pura Belpre at the then Bronx Borough Office at Fordham during that time period on Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx. I was also trained by Kathleen Rowan, an excellent role model for children’s librarians during that time. I also remember going to the renowned Donnell Library Children’s Room to see Pura, and other well known storytellers to learn more.

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