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February 8, 2008 by Betsy Bird

Central Children’s Room Memories: LaRoi Lawton

February 8, 2008 by Betsy Bird   Leave a Comment

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.

LaRoi Lawton
Assistant Professor/Director
GSL Learning Resources Center
Library & Learning Resources Department
Bronx Community College/CUNY

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About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

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About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

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