The New Recruits

Book Two of the Series THE THREE LITTLE LIBRARIANS AND
THE BIG, BAD BROTHER
October 2008

[Part 4]

Fifth, a bookplate was stuck on under the front cover.  The bookplate was a slip of decorated paper with room to write whether that book had been bought by the library budget or had been donated to the church, sometimes in memory or in honor of someone.  Sixth, and one of the most fun parts, was stamping the church name and address on the cover under the bookplate, on the title page close the publisher’s name, on page 25 (or page 5 in small books) in case the cover got torn off through use, and on the manila pocket where there was a space labeled “Stamp Library Ownership.” 

Seventh, and last, a blue American Library Association sticker, showing a reader in the shape of an “L,” was stuck onto the book binding, and under it was placed a white sticker with the Dewey classification number added by Mrs. Cloar.  The Dewey number, organized by subjects like “prayers,” or “miracles,” or “U.S. Constitution,” or “cowboys,” or “cats,” told where to place the book on the shelves, so it could be found easily.

The three little librarians were working steadily with the new recruits when suddenly everyone looked up at the same time.  A “S-C-R-E-E-C-H, S-C-R-E-E-C-H, S-C-R-E-E-C-H” sound was coming toward them from the work area where the men in the church who were good carpenters had been assembling shelving.  Rounding the corner were Ethan and Evan, Emilee’s two younger brothers, riding in a huge yellow mop bucket contraption with large wheels.  With the two of them inside—Ethan, the older, doing most of the pushing—it looked more like a race car than a necessary tool for the church custodian.

“Just thought we’d stop by to see if you needed any help,” said Ethan.

“We might let you glue pockets later,” said Emilee cheerfully, “or you could select the books for the boys’ shelves.”

“Will do,” said Ethan, and sailed across the library with Evan still asking if the librarians had any Dale Earnhardt books.  “If they do,” whispered Ethan wisely, “they’ll be in the sports section.”  The boys managed to collide with Pastor Haun, who was coming downstairs to collect the children in time for supper.  A wheel popped off the yellow mop bucket contraption and rolled under the long cubby-hole table where the girls were working.

           

“What was I saying?” said Abby.  “Brothers!”

(The Three Little Librarians and the Big, Bad Brother is a fictional book based on true events and real characters.)