When I was a child…home was, to say the least, a battlefield.

When I started school I discovered the library. Walking distance from my home, it became my sanctuary. I found escape in the books of Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and so many other authors. Their families became mine. Their triumphs and sorrows showed me that I was not alone, and that there was hope.

The librarians were always kind and patient. They spent hours suggesting new books for me and guiding me towards new subjects I expressed interest in. They gave me biographies on historical figures who had overcome obstacles and succeeded. They introduced me to people and opened up horizons and worlds I never knew existed.

Now, I take my own children to the library. Hopefully they develop their own love of reading and libraries to pass onto their children, as well.

Rachel is a children’s librarian at the Parker Hill Branch of the Boston Public Library and is a member of the library’s committee to revamp the kids section of the BPL website. “Libraries offer lifelong learning opportunities to people of all ages and through programming and materials, can help put children and teens on the path to success.” An avid reader, Rachel’s favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith and she enjoys running outside of work.

Our local branch (Parker Hill) is one of my sons favorite places to visit week after week. We stop by on Tuesday for story time with Miss Rachel and again on Thursday to see what fun craft she has planned for the children to do. We also visit to play board games, read books on the rug, and to play PBS Kids games on the computer. Everyone makes such an effort to help us and I really enjoy having a place I can bring my guy that is safe and fun. It reminds me of my own love of the library I had when I was a child and the wonderful library in my hometown in rural Iowa. It makes me happy my son gets the same wonderful experience thanks to everyone at the Parker Hill branch.

In 2007, almost every day a group of us homeless veterans from the veterans shelter would make our way over to the third floor of the Kirstein Business Library. This was a wonderful branch and the memories live on vividly in my mind. There was a rickety elevator and it was a precarious thrill to ride in the tiny elevator. We then arrived at the computer area where we were served by the helpful and caring librarians, especially Bill and Teresa. I heartily enjoyed the bust of Elvis Presley which also shared the space there with Bill, Teresa, and the homeless veterans. Sometimes it inspired patrons to sing his songs as they looked for jobs online or surfed the web. Bill and Teresa maybe didn’t like my singing , but they treated all the men and women with care and kindness.

Gianna is the manager of reference and instruction services at the Central Library in Copley Square and is proud of the diverse offerings of the BPL: “We offer everything from the newest mystery novel, to job-hunting classes, to family history research help. Truly there is something here for everyone.”  Gianna is currently building new online research guides that will extend BPL collections and resources to patrons who access the services remotely. She is a music fan and loves British mysteries.