Morning in Chaumont

The last few working hours before a vacation can be agonizing. Or, if you're me, they can be full of awesome library visits.

Lyme Central School was where I started off, to sit in on an author visit by James Preller. The first presentation for the day was for first and second graders, and Mr. Preller spent the hour in an engaging discussion about reading, writing, where story ideas come from (family, life, and interestingly, the NPR show Car Talk), and even read some selections from a few of his books.

Author James Preller, posing in front of student artwork at Lyme Central.

My favorite moments:

The story about his dad making a kitchen table out of a door to accommodate his large family.

Sharing a story about his dog: "Should I tell you a story about Daisy? It has no educational value."

When Mr. Preller began a story by talking about his favorite baseball team, the New York Mets, and a boy in front of me let out a huge, theatrical gasp. Not liking to interrupt or accost the kid afterwards, I never did find out whether it was a gasp of approval or disapproval. 

This one just has to do with my own movie-quote brain. When Mr. Preller asked the students where they thought story ideas came from, they answered, "Your head," and "Your mind," and "Your brain." Naturally, I went to a School of Rock place.

But my absolute favorite moment was when a little girl raised her hand and asked, "Did you ever have a lunch fight, like in your 28th book?" At first, I was like, "How can you possibly know the contents of a series book that you've presumably read at least 28 of?" And then I remembered that Trixie Belden book where they went to England, and there was a con man, and someone almost got pushed in front of a bus. It was #23. (And it was over 25 years ago.) The ones you like stick with you.

Thanks to school librarian Meghan Davison and reading specialist Linda Lepper for such a fun experience!

My next stop was the Lyme Free Library, where the sound of hammering alerted me to a construction project out back. Thanks to a construction grant through New York State's Division of Library Development, the library will be able to improve accessibility. In addition to moving more of their collection (especially large print and audio) to the first floor, the library is building a new bathroom, bringing the facilities up to date and in compliance with ADA.

After taking a brief lap of the building with Library Director Patti Hughes, I headed straight back to the children's space and started taking pictures like a madwoman.

Bright colors! Books faced out! Comfy reading nooks! Child-scaled seating! Murals! A TINY HOUSE, Y'ALL.

It's like being on vacation already.