'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Library Style

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Library Style

by Fullerton Public Library
by Lisë Chlebanowski (with help from Clement Clarke Moore)

‘Twas the night before Christmas, not a book to be found
Not a textbook, a paperback or tome, spiral bound.
The stockings were hung from the chimney with care
In hopes that the Librarian soon would be there.
The children were gathered, bored silly in their beds
For no books could be found out loud to be read!
There were toys and games and puzzles and maps
But nothing to read – might as well take a nap!
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter!
We sprang from our beds to see what was the matter
Then, what we saw – what was that? Rats?
No! A miniature bookcart led by eight tiny cats.
With a gorgeous driver, by the name of Marian,
I knew in a moment it must be the Librarian!
Faster than speed reading, the cats flew with perfect aim
And Marian whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
Now Gatsby! Now Holden! Now Lorax & Grinch!
On Rhett! On Scarlett! On Atticus & Finch!
The cats echoed their names to one and to all.
They flew to the roof and they flew to the wall!
And then, from the roof I heard tiny paws
The prancing and preening of kitty cat claws
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Marian came with a bound.
She was dressed in her work clothes, from her head to her foot
The bundle of books she carried was covered in soot,
She had come straight from the library where books are free.
To patrons with cards it’s a book potpourri!
A wink of her eye and a twist of her head,
She distributed books and left nothing unread!
She spoke not a word, but went straight to her work,
And filled all the stockings; She was more than a clerk!
Then she sprang to her bookcart, to her team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard her exclaim, as she drove out of sight,

"Season’s Readings to all, and to all a good-night.”