Rosalie Lewis, 92, is a voracious reader, a trait she likely inherited from her mom.
Rosalie’s mother died when she was young, but family members said she was a big reader. In fact, they told Rosalie that she was named after a character from one of her mom’s favorite books.
And so began a long family tradition of loving to read. Now, Rosalie is the eldest of four generations of her family who are regulars at the Rogersville Public Library.
Rosalie passed her love of reading to her daughter Patti Reeves, now a 2nd grade teacher at Sugar Creek Elementary; her granddaughter Aralie Blankenship, who is a nurse; and her great-grandchildren Beckham (aged 2) and Warren Blankenship (aged 1).
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The family visits the library together at least every other week to stock up on books and bring the children to storytime events.
In fact, Patti told me with a laugh, “We’re here probably more than we’re at Walmart.”
She says it’s well worth the 20-minute drive, not only for free access to books, but also because of the personal care and service they get from the Rogersville library staff.
Patti was one of the first people to submit her library story to My Alabama Library, and her family is the perfect example of how libraries have something for every age, from 2 to 92. They also demonstrate how parents can foster a love of reading in their children by leading by example.
A Legacy of Reading
“As I grew up,” Rosalie said, “I was seldom without a book. And I’m like that now.”
In fact, Patti told me that while she was growing up, “I saw my mom read a lot more than I saw her watch TV.”
Rosalie frowned and said, “Oh, I don’t watch TV,” with a shake of her head.
While Rosalie doesn’t remember reading with her own mother, Patti’s recollections are vivid. Some of her earliest memories are of sitting at her mom’s feet, both of them engrossed in their own books.
Seeing her mom reading rubbed off on Patti in a big way. “I would get in trouble in school for having my book out. We were supposed to be doing something else, and I would sneak it out of my desk and keep reading”
Throughout Patti’s childhood, she and her mom regularly visited the Houston Memorial Library, a beautiful (and supposedly haunted) library in Athens, Alabama.
“I can literally see the shelves,” Patti said of her memories of the library. Her favorite book to check out was The Wednesday Witch by Ruth Chew. Now she owns that book and reads it to her 2nd graders.
She believes that growing up reading and visiting the library was a major factor in her decision to become a teacher. Those experiences also influence her approach to teaching her students.
“I love to see children learn how to read. That is a really good feeling. We tell the kids that (reading) is a stepping stone to everything else,” Patti said. “Whether you’re going to be a science person or a math person or a history person, it all starts with reading.”
She does her best to help every child improve their reading skills. “Sometimes I see myself in a child, and I see that kid who can’t put their book away. And then there’s the struggler. I just do all that I can to help with that struggle.”
Rosalie’s love of reading also passed down to granddaughter Aralie, who said, “I remember as a little girl going (to the library) with my Grandmother many times. I would read books while she looked for hers. I was so excited when I could finally have my own library card!”
Repaying the Favor (and Paying it Forward to the Next Generation)
She’ll pick a book over a toy any time. If she ever hears that we’re coming to the library, she’s coming.There’s not going to be a question. She’s been here in her pajamas before.
-Patti Reeves on 2-year-old Beckham
Rosalie has spent a lifetime reading and visiting libraries. These simple acts have also enriched Patti and Aralie’s lives, creating a deep love of books.
Now, Patti repays that favor by bringing her mom to the Rogersville Public Library at least every two weeks to stock up on books. These trips have become even more important to Rosalie as she’s gotten older.
“Now, I can’t get around like I used to, so reading is something I can do,” Rosalie said. Patti loves seeing her mom “consume (books) just as I remember as a child.” She reads 3-4 books every week and comes to the library with a list of what she wants to check out or request.
Patti and Aralie also pay it forward by bringing Aralie’s young children to the library’s storytime and other children’s events. Aralie said that when bringing Rosalie to the library, “I saw what all they offered for children and kept that in mind for when I had my own.”
Little Beckham, who is 2, has already developed a love of books and of the library. “She’ll pick a book over a toy any time,” Patti said. “If she ever hears that we’re coming to the library, she’s coming. There’s not going to be a question. She’s been here in her pajamas before.”
During our interview, Patti read a picture book to Beckham and her 1-year-old brother Warren. The children had been exploring the library, but as soon as Patti pulled out a book, they were at her side, transfixed. Beckham is going through a camera-shy phase, but she paid no attention to the camera while her grandma, whom she calls “Lovey,” was reading to them. The kids pointed to pictures in the book and asked questions, completely engaged in the story and in what they were learning.
The Rogersville Public Library: “A Hidden Gem”
In a town this size, you do get to know everybody. It’s a fairly small town—you get to know the kids, you get to watch them grow up. You get to know the parents, and that is so much fun.-Kimberly Corbett, Rogersville Public Library Director
The Rogersville Library has become a “third place” for Patti and her family. “It’s just part of our plan,” Patti said. “We know we’re coming to the library. It’s a little bit of a drive for us, so it’s just more time that we’re together and visiting. Sometimes talking about books on the way and on the way back.”
While the family loves libraries in general, they see the Rogersville Public Library as truly special.
“It’s literally a hidden gem; we say that all the time,” Patti said. “We almost don’t want to tell people!”
Rosalie and Patti talked about how “immaculately organized” the library is, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. They also pointed to the public computers, children’s section, and teen section.
But it’s the staff—Kimberly Corbett, Andra Bayes, and Jaydee Watkins—that really sets the Rogersville Library apart.
“They’re super friendly. I have requested a book, and a week or two later, they’ll call and say ‘Your book is in.’” This quick turnaround helps both Patti and Rosalie read as much as they’d like.
The staff, especially Andra, learns everyone’s reading habits and will make recommendations based on the types of books they usually enjoy. “They’ll even give a thumbs down,” Patti laughed.
Rosalie reads a wide variety of genres but tends to have favorite authors. “Unfortunately some of the authors are getting to be old and aren’t writing as much,” Rosalie said. So getting personalized recommendations is a great help.
The family is always impressed by the level of service the Rogersville staff provide. For example, Patti mentioned that on one rainy day, the staff helped get Beckham out to the car and buckled into her carseat.
For Kimberly, Andra, and Jaydee, they can’t imagine running the library any other way. Basically every library patron I’ve talked to has immediately bragged about the staff’s exceptional level of kindness and helpfulness. And yet, the library staff almost seemed surprised when I asked about it. It’s simply second-nature to them to offer the very best service to everyone who walks in their doors.
Kimberly, the library director, said, “In a town this size, you do get to know everybody. It’s a fairly small town —you get to know the kids, you get to watch them grow up. You get to know the parents, and that is so much fun.”
Rosalie started a long tradition of reading, and now her great-grandchildren go to storytimes at their local library.
“They love to listen to the story, but then there’s always a fun activity, said Patti. “The storytime is when they come, but they always enjoy the art activity or whatever goes along with the book.”
But more importantly, Beckham and Warren get to enjoy storytimes with librarians who know them by name, will learn what they like as they grow up, and will keep them stocked with books they know are perfect for them.
It’s a family tradition that all started with a mom and daughter reading together.
“I just learned at her feet,” Patti said, pointing to her mom, “and then my daughter saw me read, and she’s a reader.” And now Aralie’s children are developing a love of books, well before they’re even able to read for themselves.
“You just see the pattern, and then you realize that they’re enjoying (reading). And you want to be a part of that, too. And so you follow along with what you’ve seen growing up.”