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from Cossondra I love books. I always have. I began reading early, and I read often. I still love to read, although most of my reading for enjoyment now is done by listening to audiobooks. I also love libraries. I grew up rural with a small public library 30 minutes away. I didn't get to go very often, so most of my interaction with books was at my school. My school's library was excellent for younger students, and I loved library day. Once a week, we would check out books, and another adventure would begin. I was enthralled by Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys in elementary school. As I got older, I branched out into nonfiction histories of my state and even football. In high school, I focused more on literary necessities for book reports and research papers, but I still loved the library. I love librarians. I often considered being a librarian. And being an English teacher wasn't far from it; I just didn't have to know how to work a film projector (age alert). Librarians are people who don't claim to know it all, but they can help you find out. And that, my friends, is a skill we all need. The librarian I knew during elementary school was Brooks Steele. He was tall and imposing to us, but he was friendly and fun. He held a poster contest for the library, and I won! I think my slogan was, "UFOs are taking over libraries everywhere!" Brilliant, right? It was accompanied by sketches of aliens talking about everything they were learning in libraries. Obviously, I should have gone into marketing. I knew a wonderful librarian in the Reserve Room at the Gorgas Library, University of Alabama. Unfortunately, I don't recall his name. He was probably in his sixties and looked like he could have walked out of the 1960s. His grey goatee was trimmed close, and he just gave off an air of coolness. He helped me in my personal search for information about World War I (pre-internet, another age alert), and he was so curious that he seemed to take up the specific search even for himself. My high school librarian, Richard Brent, had pointed me in the direction of the resources I needed for classes. And later, he became my coworker when I returned as a high school English teacher. I had missed his humor when I was a student, but it was readily available as a colleague. He was a kind friend with a ready ear, and his influence went well beyond the library. The sponsor of the Christian students' group, he took a couple of busloads of teens to places like WinterJam, and Girl's/Guy's Night Out every year. He also asked me, every year, if I wanted to help chaperone. And every year, I declined. I was well over hour-plus journeys on school buses. I don't do well in crowds. I didn't like not having reserved seats. I had all the excuses. But not Mr. Brent. He loved the trips. He loved getting unchurched kids to Christian gatherings. He loved seeing teens worship and have a good time with Jesus. It didn't matter to him how cold it was or how long they had to stand in line. He didn't care that he would be home very late, unable to begin his long drive home until parents picked up all the students from the school. He wanted to ensure that kids had a trip that made a lifetime impression. Mr. Brent went to Heaven this week. He was preceded in death by his wife, leaving behind three children and three grandchildren. Also left behind are innumerable friends and former students. Some will remember him as a librarian, but I wonder how many people will follow him to Heaven and hug his neck because he took the time to listen, laugh, and take them to hear the Gospel. Again, librarians don't know everything, but they can help us find out. I am thankful that God blessed my community with this librarian who led people to find out more about the Gospel. Thank you, too, Mr. Brent.
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