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Librarian Quietly Leaving? (Shh! I Think Not!)
Topics: Bakersfield, Education, Life
Posted by tgrJams Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:04:35 PDT
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It can often be said that the epitome of the "Shhh!" is usually attributed to the classic perception of the School Librarian.  You knew her or him... Mild mannered, conservatively dressed, horn-rimmed glasses with shirt or blouse neatly buttoned all the way to the top.  Their power of perception was legendary.  When the Librarian at my high school (in Paso Robles) came into the room, feet were planted firmly on the ground, mouths stopped chewing gum in mid-chew and rolled up paper stopped flying across the room in mid-flight - frozen in time, afraid to hit its impending target!  When you think of the librarians of today it doesn't quite seem right.  It's no longer about what the kids do, it's how they do it.  Most librarians today have to struggle with kids going to the library for internet use, instead of actually opening a nice comfortable book.  Times have changed.

Such is the way of the lady I'm writing about today.  Mary Sikola began her career at East High School in 1968, and recently retired as the Instructional Material Coordinator for the Kern High School District in 2008.  That's 40 years of service to the education community.  I thought it weird that I, who probably knew her the shortest amount of time in relation to her coworkers and friends, should write this "quiet ode".  So, I am going to quote a tribute to her from Mark Britton, the Librarian from Stockdale High School, who knows her like no other.

"A Quiet Celebration by Mark Britton

I learned last month that Mary Louise Sikola is retiring.  Ms. Sikola is the Kern High School District Librarian.  Her wish is to retire quietly.  This is my quiet tribute to her. 

Tributes are usually resumes of achievement and accolades.  My experience is that most tributes tell more about the author than the subject.  Count the personal pronouns.  I don't expect to achieve more than that here. 

Ms. Sikola was my 9th grade English Teacher at Foothill High School.  She told us up front that she was a UC Berkeley graduate.  In the 70s that meant left wing radicals and student demonstrators.  She didn't seem the type. 

Instead, she laughed a great deal.  I believe she was the most pleasant teacher I ever encountered.  Her laughter wasn't the tight, cynical, controlled laughter of most teachers.  When Ms. Sikola laughed her whole face folded into it with complete sincerity.  She was nice.

I can't remember learning anything in her class, but then I can't remember learning anything in high school.  Apparently my memory is at fault.  Since I am here I must have learned something.

I do remember getting a paper back from her; an essay.  It was a silly, freshman type composition concerning injustice.  Ms. Sikola had written comments on it that were supportive and complimentary.  At the bottom she wrote a note telling me to submit it to the Aeolian: the school's publication of student writing.  I did, and they published it.

Years later I met Ms. Sikola again at CSUB.  I was taking classes to complete my teaching credential.  To my amazement, she remembered me.  She asked, without pause, "Are you still a writer?" I made some excuse.

Later I worked with her in my current position as School Librarian

I am sure that Ms. Sikola is deserving of much applause and credit for a resume of achievement.  I know of only one.  She was my 9th grade English teacher.  She made a difference in my life.

I am still a writer.  I celebrate the fact of it, quietly."

I will not pretend to write about Mary Sikola as though I know her as well as Mr. Britton.  In fact, I've only known her for about 3 and a half years.  But there is no rule against how much someone can mean to you in a short period of time. 

I met Mary through our business as buyer and vendor of instructional materials.  Throughout the last few years, I've grown very fond of her and have made excuses to visit her even when I had nothing to deliver to her!  We'd talk about our mutual love of live theatre or what's going on in her life or mine.  Usually ending our visit with a quick embrace, as good friends often do. 

I am going to miss Mary Louise Sikola, former Librarian and Teacher, former Kern High School District Representative... but, she will never be a former friend. Unlike her long-time friends and co-workers, I'll probably see her more often than they will during her retirement years.  Mary's love of books and magazines is legendary, and will not end with her career.  You can usually find her at Barnes & Noble Booksellers - where you can usually find me!  We'll be the ones in the corner talking about eachother's lives and our mutual love of live theatre...

If I had Ms. Sikola as my English teacher or Librarian, I'm sure I could have gotten away with maybe one or two flying balls of paper.  Maybe not.

 

 

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Comment From: sunnica

I never told you how much I love this article. What a beautiful tribute. Comment From: tgrJams

Thank you, Dana. She's a wonderful lady, and much deserving of such praise. - tgr