M e r e d i t h
N e w s
Longtime Educator Donates Treasure Trove of Children’s Literature By Melyssa Allen
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ore than 9,000 children’s books have new homes at Meredith and in other local schools, thanks to the generosity of longtime educator Janet Groomer. Groomer collected the books during her career, which spanned more than 50 years at schools in California, Indiana and North Carolina. She most recently worked as a literacy specialist at Raleigh’s Underwood Elementary School and Washington Elementary School. Interestingly, Groomer began as a math teacher, but eventually specialized in reading. Along the way she worked with leaders in the field of education, and developed a “fascination with children’s literature.” Her collection grew gradually, as she purchased books that seemed to spark the interest of her students. “I had success with reluctant readers. If we were talking about a subject that interested students, I’d buy all the books on that topic I could,” Groomer said. “Children don’t always have adequate background knowledge, so I would bring in books, articles, newspapers and these light bulbs would just go on.” She used her books to create a library in her classroom, and taught students to take care of books so they would last for future students. “I’m a real stickler for not turning down corners,” Groomer said. “I liked for children to take care of books.” Groomer’s involvement at Meredith began when she was president of the Raleigh/ Wake Reading Association, an organization that holds its meetings at Meredith College. Through this organization, Groomer met Associate Professor of Education Beth Marr. “We found out we knew so many of the same people,” Groomer said of Marr, who is originally from Indiana. “We struck up a friendship.”
“I had success with reluctant readers. If we were talking about a subject that interested students, I’d buy all the books on that topic I could.” —Janet Groomer Groomer has also volunteered in Meredith’s education department, assisting in Assistant Professor of Education Tisha Duncan’s Children’s Literature class and offering suggestions to pre-service teachers. “I want [Meredith students] to have the same passion that I have for using children’s literature with their students.” Meredith College came to mind when Groomer decided it was time to share her collection of children’s literature, as well as professional education texts. “I could have been miserly and kept these books to myself,” Groomer said. “But I realized to leave those books in boxes at my home meant that children were missing out on some really good books.” Ted Waller, head of technical services for Meredith’s Carlyle Campbell Library,
coordinated the donation process, including managing the distribution of the books at Meredith and beyond. Approximately 1,800 of the books were given to Meredith’s Department of Education, for use in the classroom, and another 2,500 books are now in circulation at the Carlyle Campbell Library, with more still being catalogued. Other books have been distributed among schools and organizations in Wake, Durham, Warren, Guilford and Harnett counties. Many of the schools were without libraries before Groomer’s donation. Waller said, “I have to confess that being surrounded by books every day I sometimes forget the power they hold for those who are less fortunate. I feel privileged to have been a part of this process.” M er edi t h M ag az i n e / fal l 2 010 /
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