2, 4, 6, 8 We Think Books Are Really Great!

May 11, 2012

We stood, lined up: two columns and three rows we were. Each had a cart. Black and sleek, the carts were shining in the midday heat under a clear May sky. There were only a few clouds hanging around to the West, as if lazily warning us of the day’s later rain storm to come. Our shirts were coordinated and our flag team was right behind us, keeping us in line, syncing their shouts to our cart-choreography.

Our fearless leader blew her whistle; it rang clear through that fresh May air. We were starting. Our mission had begun.

With black plastic wheels wobbling on uneven, paved roads, we marched proudly through the streets of Grandview for all citizens to see our awesomeness. We were ready…

Ready for the Cinco de Mayo Parade down in Grandview, that is!

I’ve been in three parades now, and each time, I’ve been a cart err…twirler, I guess would be the best word to describe what I do. Either way, cart twirling is always awesome and quite a challenge! We have to choreograph our spins with one another so that we spin the same way, and spin on cue.

Trust me, when you’re trying to sync with five other people with lots of loud sounds around and on pavement (which library carts were not meant for), it can be quite the task. Every time we are in a parade, we librarians not only manage to spin the carts in sync, but we spin with grace and finesse! We’re cart spinning pros.

If you thought parades were just for schools, cool old fire trucks, and awesome hogs (the motorcycles, but pigs could be participating too depending on your float), you’re probably right. But, parades let crazy-awesome, information-access-loving librarians participate, and we’re glad the coordinators of the parade let us participate because they are fun!

Parade time: It’s a time where we can let our wild library excitement for books and reading out, scream and shout at the top of our lungs for books—effectively proving that we aren’t as quiet as we make ourselves out to be—and it’s a time for the library and the community to see how much fun librarians really are. Not to brag, but we’re a pretty awesome bunch.

So, next time you see a group giving a shout-out to readers and dressed in cool MCPL shirts, feel free to join us in the book-love excitement! And feel free to join us as we get ready for Summer Reading Program on May 21st! "Dream Big READ!" is the kids' theme, and "Own the Night" is the theme for Teens this summer.

Getting prizes just for doing something you already love, there's no better way to spend a lazy summer break.

We love books. Yes, we do! We love books! How about you?!

~Cody C.
Parkville Branch