Volunteerism
There are volunteers, and then there are volunteers. There are book
shelvers, and then there are book shelvers. Anybody who’s been
around The Lexington School’s library the last 20 years knows Anne
de Castro, mother of Leo ’10, Clara ’12, Luke ’15, Noah ’17, and Max ’23 ,
book shelver extraordinaire.
Mrs. de Castro began helping in the library in 1999,
when Leo was in TLS’s inaugural KinderKlasse, with
Dominique Metze and Marie Culpert. On those first
forays into the now former library, Mrs. de Castro
would take Clara, who’d sit and read or quietly do
puzzles, while Mrs. de Castro shelved books. They
stayed about 30 minutes or so, and usually showed up
three mornings a week. It was a happy commitment.
Mrs. de Castro learned of TLS when a neighbor told
her about a brand-new program for three-year-olds at
The Lexington School with a wonderful teacher named
Dominique Metze. Back then, Mrs. Metze and Mrs.
Culpert did home visits before school began to make
new students feel welcome and to answer any questions,
to help pave the way for classroom success. Their visit
was the beginning of the warm and strong blending of
the de Castro family and The Lexington School family.
In the sparkling, new library of today, Mrs. de
Castro reminisces, “I had book-loving children. This
was just like having Joseph-Beth right here, basically.
For new parents, the library is a great way to begin
volunteering. In the first place, you get to meet the
fabulous librarians; Ann Eames and Melanie Bishop
were unparalleled. You can do it whenever you want –
before, during, or after school, whenever it’s convenient.
You get to discover books for your children that you’d
never otherwise know existed. I’m usually here three
mornings and two afternoons a week, after and before
carline. Sometimes I come twice a day. I enjoy shelving
books. It’s wonderful therapy, really. There’s something
about putting books in order….”
Mrs. de Castro continues, “I want to give so much
credit to the two Ls, Lori and Laurie; they’re incredible,
always welcoming and thoroughly knowledgeable. TLS
is so lucky to have two professional, full-time librarians.
You get to know the book lovers in the school, and
I appreciate that. I have an affinity for books. My
children love to read. When we go on vacation, we go
to bookstores.”
Mrs. de Castro is convinced “The library is an
incredible environment. It’s the best place in the
school.”
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