Local librarian seeks help for Louisiana elementary school

Caryl Lee Ray has done that put-on-your-rain-boots thing to wade through stacks and try to reclaim books.

So the children’s librarian at Andalusia Public Library said she feels the pain of Louisiana librarians trying to recover from recent flooding. As a result, she is collecting children’s books to contribute to the recovery effort.

It was something a fellow children’s librarian in Baton Rouge wrote that motivated her to help, she said.

“I have a library without any books …”

So said Trey Veazy, recounting the story of entering his elementary school library. Signed books, personal collections, and the peace and calm of his library were under water.

“My heart hurt,” Ray said. “Books, reading, the library, story times, and simply reading to a child on your lap have such an influence on society. When I read the comment ‘there is a library, but no books,’ it really made me sad. I want to help. I’m not physically able to haul out waterlogged items or rebuild buildings, but I can help to replenish their shelves.

Two of her sons had been to Louisiana to help people in the aftermath of the flooding, so she’d heard first-hand how overwhelming the recovery effort would be.

“I contacted Trey and asked what my family, my library, and my community could do to help,” Ray said. “My guys have helped collect several boxes of books. And Andalusia Public Library is taking donations of children’s books, kindergarten through grade 5, to help this sister library. There is also an Amazon wish list, donor’s choice, and a physical address if anyone feels the desire to help.”

APL is collecting books to mail to Louisiana, or patrons may donate on line at donorschoose.org (search for Mr. Veazey, Glen Oaks Park Elementary), or by using his amazon.com wish list.