SADIE APPLEBEE, a Librarian
Wynnefield Library
Philadelphia, PA
1964
She was short, squatty, pleasantly plumb as my father would
describe fat people he liked. Her dress was also plain: a skirt, a blouse and a
sweater, no matter what time of year it was.
She wore sensible shoes and heavy nylon stocking. She roamed the library
with a feistiness that demanded everyone’s attention.
We were shhhed at the first utterance of a sound. We were warned if we spoke again and then thrown out of the library if it happened a third time. Those of us who returned books late were publically shamed. There were never any personal interactions, just library matters were discussed. And while I never really liked this woman, I will also be grateful to her for introducing me to the wonderful adventures of Ramona and Beverly Clearly.
We were shhhed at the first utterance of a sound. We were warned if we spoke again and then thrown out of the library if it happened a third time. Those of us who returned books late were publically shamed. There were never any personal interactions, just library matters were discussed. And while I never really liked this woman, I will also be grateful to her for introducing me to the wonderful adventures of Ramona and Beverly Clearly.
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