|
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Lost Books of Your Childhood
I love being pulled away from my desk for reference questions. Nadine, the librarian responsible for reference services, is not always available and I get to step in from time to time. The great thing about reference work is that you get to learn the answer to every question too. If only I had a better memory, I could really clean up on Jeopardy!
One of my favourite kinds of question has to do with childhood books. Usually it’s someone who wants to track down a much-loved volume for their child or grandchild. Usually the person is a little embarrassed, and usually they have only the vaguest description: “Um, it was about these two kids? And they were a boy and girl, and they got in a boat and went to an island? And they had these adventures?” Yes, that was an actual reference question – pretty much verbatim. I had to get help, but we eventually tracked the book down (and no, I don’t remember the title).
Imagine my delight when I saw the announcement that CBC radio’s North by Northwest program is resurrecting their “Lost Books of Your Childhood” segment. They have enlisted the help of five librarians from the Lower Mainland who will help you find that elusive item. Questions and answers will be broadcast on the North by Northwest program, Saturday and Sunday mornings, and posted on their website at www.cbc.ca/nxnw.
It’s fascinating to read the blurb, because it formalizes the process I’ve used for years – ask lots of questions, trying to elicit details like what year, or even what decade, did you read the book? Do you remember it as new or old then? Where did you grow up/where were you living at the time? Lots of times, tangential information like what library you borrowed the book from can be the thing that makes it possible to track it down.
I’ve loved books from before my memories started. Some of my favourites are the PD Eastman books, the Dr. Seuss books, the Laura Ingalls Wilder books – too many to name. The magic of being lost in a book can come back just by holding one in my hands – in fact, one of my prized possessions is an autographed copy of One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. If you have a lost favourite, either take it to Sheryl MacKay at North by Northwest, or bring it in to use here at WPL. We’ll do our best.
Lauren Stara, Library Director