We Know a Great Book When We Read One

by   |  April 16, 2007

April 15-21 is National Library Week, a time we come together to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in our nation’s schools, campuses and communities. As America’s largest union for library workers, this is always a special week for AFSCME. But this year, we’re prouder than a peacock to take this occasion to highlight the achievement of one of our own, Susan Patron. Patron was a longtime senior librarian at Los Angeles Public Library and member of AFSCME Local 2626 (Council 36). She is also an accomplished author of children’s books. AFSCME ran a full-page advertisement in the April 15 New York Times Book Review to mark National Library Week and to honor Patron for winning this year’s prestigious John Newbery Medal, the highest honor in children’s literature, for her book, “The Higher Power of Lucky.” What an achievement! Libraries and librarians are more relevant than ever, providing a 24/7 information delivery service. Despite ongoing funding challenges, libraries today are enjoying a golden age in which public, school, college and university library use is on the rise. More than 2 billion items were checked out last year, and librarians serve nearly 1.8 billion visitors annually. So hats off to sister Patron—and all of the 20,000 dedicated library workers of AFSCME. Our libraries work because you do.