More than Cobwebs and Dust
Text Copyright 2014 Laural Randall Illustrations Copyright 2014 Lorlie Vuori Edited by Jill Griffith Designed by Lorlie Vuori All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of Echo Hill Publishing Ltd. or, in case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a license from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright), For an Access Copyright license, visit www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free to 1-800-893-5777 Published in Canada by Echo Hill Publishing 5927 61 Ave Red Deer, Alberta Canada T4N 4W9 www.echohillpublishers.com Printed in Canada by PageMaster Publication Services Inc. Edmonton, Alberta Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication Randall, Laural, author More than Cobwebs and Dust/a fictional story based on the evolution of the Red Deer Public Library/written by Laural Randall: Illustrated by Lorlie Vuori Echo Hill Publishing ISBN 978-0-9683099-4-0 1. Centennial Celebrations - Red Deer (Alta.) -- Juvenile fiction. 2. Red Deer Public Library (Red Deer, Alta.) History - Juvenile fiction. 3. Red Deer Armoury - Red Deer (Alta.) History - Juvenile fiction. 4. Fire Hall #1 - Red Deer (Alta.) - History - Juvenile fiction. 5. Time travel - Juvenile fiction. I. Vuori, Lorlie, illustrator II. Title iv
Dedication To all the Ina Greenes, Kalebs, Corporal Stringers, Captain Pembertons, Miss Brooks and parents out there who take their jobs so seriously, who have helped shape our country. To all of the visionaries and many others who saw the need for a library in the growing community of Red Deer, and the need for continued support for keeping our libraries viable. - Laural To my family and friends who were so patient with me while I was immersed in the production of this book. - Lorlie v
More than Cobwebs and Dust Written by Laural Randall Illustrated by Lorlie Vuori An Echo Hill Book
2
At ten o clock, on a cold April morning, Kaleb and his mother rushed into their local library. We just made it! gasped Kaleb s mother. The Children s Librarian told me to meet her at the entrance to the Children s Library, so she could give you a tour. I think this is the perfect idea for your History Fair Project, Kaleb. When they arrived at the designated spot, no one was there to meet them. Oh, she s late, Kaleb s mother observed, then added, Can you wait here for a moment while I go to the coffee shop? I ll be right back. No worries, Mom, replied Kaleb. I m not going anywhere. Besides, it s a library loaded with books. If it were a gamers store you might lose me. But not here, he added with a mischievous grin. Kaleb s mother smiled at his reply and headed back to the coffee shop near the entrance. 3
Kaleb turned towards the Children s Library and was startled to see someone standing right in front of him. Good day. You must be Kaleb. My name is Miss Greene and I will be your guide for some of the last 100 years. MoMMMM! Kaleb s voice rose with a quaver. Oh, don t bother your mother, chided Miss Greene. She can come and meet you back here, in about a few decades. 4
Miss Greene continued, I ll bet you think historic buildings are just full of old cobwebs and dust. Nay, Kaleb, all kinds of exciting things have happened between these walls; and exciting things are still happening. Kaleb shrugged his shoulders, thinking, Yeah, sure. This is just a library full of a bunch of old boring books. When his teacher introduced him to the History Fair Project for school, he knew he was doomed. Who really cared about an old building, with a library celebrating its 100th birthday? Oh wow - he could hardly contain his excitement. NOT! And now this strange person. Miss Greene didn t resemble the Children s Librarian his mother had told him about. The librarian his mother described sounded modern and up-beat. This lady looked different. Her face looked like she was a teenager, but her reddish brown hair was done up in a bun with a lace headband like an old lady. She wore a baggy blouse with a high tight collar, a long drab skirt, and pointed boot-like shoes with buttons up the sides. But it wasn t really the hair and clothes. No, Kaleb sensed something different about her and the way she spoke, like she had just stepped out of an animated movie. Kaleb s thoughts were interrupted by Miss Greene. What do you know about this building Kaleb? Not waiting for an answer she added, Come with me. Let s scout out the nooks and crannies to see what forces were at work, before it changed into a library for youngsters. 5
With a sideways glance, Kaleb saw his mother standing at the coffee shop counter chatting with the clerk. He guessed it was probably all right to follow Miss Greene into the Children s Library. Did you know that this building was built in 1913 and had its grand opening early in 1914? It was built here for the militia and then became an armoury. Yes sir, that was quite an occasion. All of the dignitaries running around here in their military uniforms! Miss Greene was looking far off in the distance like she was reliving the moment. At that time the library was located in a building across the street, Miss Greene continued, not anything like this one. It had only one room and I was the one and only library staff. Kaleb stopped following Miss Greene and stood there not knowing what to say. Was he hearing right? Did Miss Greene just say 1913 and 1914, and that she was the library staff back then? Why was she here now? That would make her about a hundred years old. She didn t look 100 years old, but there sure was something strange about her. Kaleb suddenly felt very hot. He pulled off his winter jacket and dropped it on a nearby chair. 6
Miss Greene stopped and turned back to look at Kaleb. Kaleb, you look pallid. Are you feeling unwell? she asked. Pallid? thought Kaleb. Oh, I m okay, he replied. Good, we have a lot to see. Are you coming? Ummm, uh yes ma am, I m coming, replied Kaleb obediently, not wanting to be disrespectful. As they walked past the Children s Information Desk and computers, Kaleb heard Miss Greene mumbling something about not understanding these new typewriters and that there was a lot more books and stuff now, than in her day. They passed the shelves filled with DVDs, and then walked around a huge pillar. 7
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