Memories - Bev Russell, Library Director

(This column appeared in the November 4, 2007, Star-Herald)

A few months ago I wrote a column in which I requested memories from the past about the Scottsbluff Public Library. I received a lovely e-mail from Jane Slanksy Robinson about her memories of the library. I was so moved by her note that I wanted to share it with readers of this column.

Dear Ms. Russell,

I read your recent column in the Star Herald and I just have to respond to your request for memories of the library.

I was born and raised in Scottsbluff and it was my father who introduced me to the public library. My dad, Walt Slansky, was a voracious reader and we visited the library on a regular basis - at least once a week. He read a variety of literature.....history (particularly history of the American West), science fiction, westerns, mysteries.... He was always reading 2 or 3 books at the same time and his main source for reading materials was the library.

Dad introduced me to Alistair McLean and Louie L'Amour and some of my fondest recollections of the times we spent together were those drives to and from the library. When I was little, dad would drop me off in the children's library (in the basement of what is now the West Nebraska Arts Center), where the children's librarian, Mrs. McPherson (I believe that was her name) would help me select my books. She often reserved books for me that she knew I would enjoy.

I thought she had the best job in the world! [Mrs. Harriett McPherson worked at the library from 1954-1971.]

I can still remember quite vividly the first time we walked into the new library building on 3rd Avenue. I don't know which one of us was more excited! Even during my junior and senior high school years, dad and I would still go to the library together, where the staff would always greet us by name. I guess his love of reading and for books in general really rubbed off on me. Just a year before he passed away I received my master's degree in library science from the University of Michigan. Anyone who knew my father said they weren't at all surprised that I would choose that particular career. I'm sure I would never have developed a love of books if it hadn't been for his continuing influence.

Thanks so much for letting me take a look back on those times I spent with my dad. I think I was one lucky little girl!

Jane Slansky Robinson

Driftwood, Texas

(I think she was one lucky girl too!)

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