I have always loved reading…. and libraries, even though I (like every other child I knew) was terrified of Miss Andrews, elderly custodian of the Lady Clark Children’s Library in my Tasmanian home town of Ulverstone. The Library was one of many established in memory of Lady Clark, wife of Governor Ernest Clark, and highly accomplished in her own right.
ULVERSTONE -MEMORIAL LIBRARY – The librarian at the local Lady Clark Memorial Children’s Library (Miss H. F. Andrews) said yesterday there were increasing demands by children for books. The total issued during the 12 months to July 21 was 8640, which represented an increase in the previous year’s of 2000. During the past month the daily average of issues has been 75. In addition to the issues from the Ulverstone Library, several hundred books were lent to country schools in the municipality. The winter months were the most popular for reading by children, and the month of least reading was January. (Advocate, Aug 1 1950. Yes, well of course we were all at the Ulverstone beach in January. 😍
Once I lost Marmalade the Cat and Miss Andrews sent an overdue notice to my parents. Oh good heavens, it was a dreadful worry; worse than losing my school jumper. The book eventually turned up under my bed, covered in fluff. I can’t remember whether I ever found the jumper.
At least I was never guilty of wilful damage, as it appears some Ulverstone children were!
Miss Andrews, whose first name was Helen, was very much involved in the community. She appears on the right in the following photo, dressed as Lady Bracknell for a local production of Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest. Wow, this is just as I remember her at the library.
Eventually I worked in libraries myself. Oddly enough, I even spent a year or so as Children’s Librarian at Ulverstone, where I was a pale shadow of Miss Andrews! No-one appeared to be the slightest bit frightened of me. When I told certain children they had to pay a fine they would say: ‘Try and make me!’ and saunter off. Afterwards I would discover terrible words scribbled in the pages. But there were lovely little kids too, who made it all worthwhile and who loved The Giant Jam Sandwich as much as I thought they should.
Our home was always full of books. In addition to those issued by Miss Andrews there were many of our own; Little Golden Books, countless stories by Enid Blyton then on to Dickens and other classics of children’s literature.
My mother often read to us, too….what utter bliss. Generations of children have enjoyed this pleasure, so let’s hope it continues.
Both my parents were both avid readers, and we naturally followed their lead;
To be honest, I wanted to write this piece just so I could share the following creation by the miniaturist Kiva Atkinson;
And finally, here is a message from Miss Andrews herself, now issuing books and overdue notices in that great library in the sky. A couple of my own books are in libraries these days, so I appreciate her warning;
‘EXCUSE ME….PLEASE DO NOT SCRIBBLE OR DRAW RUDE PICTURE IN LIBRARY BOOKS, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR IS PAULINE CONOLLY‘, WHO FAILED TO RETURN THE MARMALADE CAT ON TIME.
DO LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK WAS WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD.
NOTE – THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED BY MY ASSOCIATE, EDITOR DES, HENCE THE REFERENCES TO HIM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. DES IS NOT REALLY A READER, ALTHOUGH TO HIS CREDIT HE IS TRYING TO LEARN FRENCH.
Dear Desmond. I think you did more reading than me growing up. I was more into music. See I lived in a big pub and we had a jukebox. So, apart from, Little Woman, and Jo’s Boys, which were my mum’s books, it was music. I was a bit wayward, which I’ve heard you are Des. Naughty, but nice, aye? Girls weren’t allowed to come to the pub to play. So most of my friends were boys. Guess that’s why I’m a bit of a Tom-boy. After school, they’d take my big German Shepherd, Sergeant Whisky, for a walk. Then, my daddy would give each of us a bottle of Coca Cola and a bag of crisps. And as many free plays on the jukebox as we wanted. So, where lots of little girls wrote fairy stories, I wrote rock songs. But it was, just like you Desmond, fun! xxx
I love Coca Cola and chips but I’m hardly ever allowed to have them. I have to eat apples and bits of raw carrot! My favourite books mostly have pictures but I’m learning to play a musical instrument. I’ll get my picture taken with it for you and put it on Pauline’s FB page. Dr Bob says he used to like reading Biggles..and Phamtom comics.
Pauline, thank you for putting the octo on your blog!! He fits in very nicely with this entry!! When I was a wee lass, I loved Charlotte’s Web and The Little Prince, just two that come to mind immediately. From there, I graduated to Nancy Drew…THEN Judy Blume, ha ha!! Those Blume books were salacious (well, to my adolescent mind). Congratulations again on your brand new novel!!! I can’t wait for the next :-D!!
My pleasure Kiva, I adore Octo with his little plate of fish biscuits! I remember all the books you mention from my library days, especially Judy Blume. I think the waiting list for Charlotte’s Web was about five years!! I loved The Little Prince.
Very cute idea for a blog with co-editor!! I like it!! Loved reading about your favorite books from childhood!
Thanks Louise
The only problem is that Des’s opinion of his editorial skills is far in advance of his actual ability and educational level. His head swells at the drop of a hat so to speak.
Yes, well as I’m home schooled Louise it is fairly clear who is to blame for any gaps in my knowledge. Someone I know spends far too much time dithering about instead of attending to my lessons. And BTW (that’s ‘By the Way’ in social media speak) the only hats dropped on my head are crepe paper ones at Christmas, and my so called ‘swollen head’ is always far too small for them.
Dear Editor Des. For someone who is struggling to read, your spelling is very good. Hope you’re not cheating now!
Madalyn, it’s not really cheating but I do get Dr Bob to help me with some of the hard words. And you know what? Even he has to borrow Pauline’s big dictionary sometimes.
Nice post, Pauline. I love Kiva Atkinson’s miniatures. My favourite book as a child was Grimm’s Fairy Tales. In particular, I loved the story of the Six Swans. My favourite children’s book now is Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Book by Lauren Child. It tells the magical tale of a boy who gets into a book, which I have often wanted to do.
Thanks Yolande. Yes, I loved Grimms fairy tales too, even though they frightened me! But I don’t remember the one about six swans, will have to look it up. Nor have I read Who’s Afaid of the Big Bad Book’ but I’m sure I would (will!) enjoy it. I should have said that I also adored comic books, especially all the US ones such as Ritchie Rich, and the ones wih Archie, Veronia & Jughead etc. They Inspired an intense desire for all things American in me, hence my piece under Humour called; A Sticky Situation in America.
Anne of Green Gables. It was bought for me to be read on a few days holiday – I read it very fast and pleaded with my dad for another book. I’m not wild about the octopus.
I missed out on Anne of Green Gables Chris. I watched the TV series recently. And yes, the little octopus is a divisive character! However, I think he’s quite
sweet.
Beautiful memories. I was a prolific reader as a child, reading anything I could. My favourite was a short story in an Enid Blyton book which I owned, sadly it did not move with us.
Loved Enid Blyton, Leanne. I visited her house ‘Old Thatch’ at Bourne End in England. which was a delight.