Drawing on first-hand experiences from six years of professional work as a librarian in high-poverty neighborhoods of Washington, DC, as well as interviews and research, the author highlights the national problems that have existed in libraries since they were founded--racism, segregation and class inequalities.

"Two children learn the importance of librarians in their neighborhood"--

"After the tragic death his beloved musician father, fourteen-year-old Benny Oh begins to hear voices. The voices belong to the things in his house-a sneaker, a broken Christmas ornament, a piece of wilted lettuce. Although Benny doesn't understand what these things are saying, he can sense their emotional tone; some are pleasant, a gentle hum or coo, but others are snide, angry and full of pain. When his mother, Annabelle, develops a hoarding problem,...

"Orlean chronicles the LAPL fire and its aftermath to showcase the larger, crucial role that libraries play in our lives; delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world, from their humble beginnings as a metropolitan charitable initiative to their current status as a cornerstone of national identity; brings each department of the library to vivid life through on-the-ground reporting; studies arson attempts to burn a...

Lindsey and Sully are finally getting married. Their plan was to have a small gathering at the home of Sully's parents on one of the islands offshore from Briar Creek, the small town on the Connecticut coast where Lindsey is the librarian and Sully is a tour-boat captain. But Lindsey gave the printer the wrong invitation list, and most of the town will be in attendance! Visiting the island, the day after a Christmas party at the home of Steve Briggs,...

Every Tuesday Lola and her mother visit their local library to return and check out books, attend story readings, and share a special treat.