Allen Librarian In Need – A Special Request Met by ASCBWI

Posted October 16, 2011 in Opportunities

You may recall an earlier request made by Phil Bilner to join in helping the amazing Allen, Texas librarian, Jane Jergensen, replace thousands of destroyed books - soaked by a unfortunate sprinkler system failure.  The Austin SCBWI responded to Phil’s request by sending a stack of books written and illustrated by Austin talent. Our donation was tied together with a raffia with a sprig of bluebonnets fondly secured  inside the bow.
 
We  received a lovely thank you note from Jane which reads as follows:
 
Words can’t describe how I felt when I received your package. I’m usually the one rallying the troops to help others. I never dreamed that one day I would be on the receiving end. You have not only placed a book in a child’s hand, you are modeling important life lessons to Kerr students. When I discuss what happened to the library to the students and how we are moving on, I’m going to talk about that every cloud has a silver lining. Your kindness is Kerr’s silver lining!!
 
And she adds:
 
We loved your creative wrapping of the books. It made me smile!
 
Readers are Leaders!
Jane Jergensen
 
Way to go ASCBWI! Way to reach out and support others in need. Be looking for another opportunty for us to join together as a creative community to help another organization who needs our support.  Stay tuned…
 
The original note and request from author Phil Bilner for your reference:
Jane Jergensen is a wonderful elementary school librarian in Allen, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. She values author visits and our books. Over the years, she’s hosted Tony Abbott, Susan Stevens Crummel, Mark Knudson, Matthew McElligott, Sara Pennypacker and me. A couple years ago, she took her entire fifth grade to see John R. Erickson. She also took a group to Barnes & Noble to see Rick Riordan. Jane’s one of those librarians who goes to TLA and ALA and waits on all the lines so she can bring autographed copies of books to her students. This past year, she was named her district’s teacher of the year.
 
Last week, when Jane returned to school, she learned that the sprinkler system over her library failed. She had to get rid of over 3,800 books. Many were autographed copies. Many were personal copies. She also lost photographs with authors, posters and book mementos.
I know we all give, and I know we all have places we prefer to give, but if you have any extra books that you can send to Jane’s elementary school library, you will be giving them a wonderful home:
Jane Jergensen
Library Media Specialist
Kerr Elementary School
1325 Glendover Drive
Allen, Texas 75013