From the Real Marian the Librarian: Ancedotes, Musings & Satire from the Stacks – the ALA Morris Award & More

By now, most of you know we have our own Marian the Librarian. Her real name is Margaret Miles, and she is a Youth Services Librarian at the New Hanover Public Library, in Wilmington, NC.

When we stopped by the NH Public Library this summer, we were supposed to be meeting another librarian. But she was at lunch, so Margaret Miles offered to meet with us instead. This is what you call kismet – because the moment we sat down in the tiny plastic chairs to talk books, we knew we had found not only a kindred spirit – but the Real Marian the Librarian. Margaret is a two-state Southern gal, with hardcore roots as a fantasy reader. She grew up reading British editions of classic fantasy novels, devouring everything she could get her hands on. But that isn’t the only reason she qualifies as our Marian. Margaret can also tell you the Latin root of almost any word & it’s origins… and recently we had the pleasure of learning that she knows a great deal about linguistics and Southern dialects. She is well-read, brilliant, and pulls you into the world of books in the way only a true librarian can. She has graciously agreed to guest post on our blog.

So enjoy the first installment of “The Real Marian the Librarian: Anecdotes, Musings & Satire from the Stacks,” we asked Margaret her thoughts on the ALA’s Morris Award. In true Marian fashion, Margaret channeled Theodor Geisel in her response:

‘Tis the week pre-Midwinter and all through the land
Librarians are pondering lists in their hands
(Or their terminals, smartphones, or just in their heads)
Of books they’ve just heard of, and ones that they’ve read

And asking themselves the perennial question
That looms on the eve of the Midwinter session:
This year, have I managed the perfect prediction
For picture books? kids’ books? teen novels? nonfiction?

This year, does our library already hold
All those books that will soon wear the stickers of gold?
Will this be the year our selectors have pounced
On all the new winners BEFORE they’re announced?

Within a few hours, when the winners are known
All book dealers’ copies already have flown.
(They do sell out that fast, and the reprints take weeks,
Which is why we all turn into Year’s Best Books geeks.)

Imagine our bibliographic chagrin
If our readers must wait ‘til backorders come in!
So we’ve checked all those lists of the prior year’s Best ,
The books whose reviews and credentials impress:

The Center’s Blue Ribbons – how do they compare
With PW Best Children’s and Horn Book Fanfare?
And here’s maybe the ultimate Kirkus Best lists
(Their pointered, and pointed, reviews will be missed!) —

Booklist Editor’s Choice clearly merits inspection
And the NYT Best Illustrated selection.
School Library Journal picked their Bests, too.
My list’s getting lengthy – but wait, I’m not through!

Now check on the shortlists – announced in mid-Fall,
NBA’s Final Five. Those are books that stand tall
And are slam-dunks of writing, jammed right through the basket.
(No, not that NBA! I’m surprised that you ask it!)

hold still as the Morris list flames into view
With Flash Burnout and Ash; The Everafter, too;
And the Beautiful Creatures from down South in Gatlin.
(Could those Casters predict for me which books will win?)

On the Press Conference day we’ll be holding our thumbs
(And imagining fireworks and beating of drums)
And hoping OUR favorites will win! We’ll be tense
As we’re waiting for webcast and Tweets to commence.

Come Newbery! Caldecott! King! and Belpré!
On Wilder and Geisel and Sibert! Hurray!
On Batchelder! Arbuthnot! Listen for Odyssey!
Watch for Carnegie (video) and hail Schneider Family!

On Printz, Alex, Edwards! On Morris Debut!
And YALSA Nonfiction, a prize that’s brand new!
It’s surely a press conference no one can beat,
And we’ll hang on the news ‘til the very last tweet.

We may love the winners, and may scratch our heads,
And wish a committee had picked THIS instead –
But our library’s readers are winners, it’s clear
With new stacks of great reading – and there’s always next year!