12 Best Books About Libraries Worth Reading Now

ArynFamily2 Comments

Amazing "Library" Books

Hello, and welcome to my library! I love books, and Books about Libraries make me feel right at home!

As an avid reader, my personal library is more than 2,000-3,000 strong, and I’m always adding to it. Growing up, I called the Dial-A-Story program at my local library at least two or three times a week, even though they only changed the story once a week. And YES, I Missed Bedtime, because I was camped out in a good book (Still Do!) So, while I’m not exactly a Librarian, I probably qualify as a Libraryan

What better place to start this blog than some of my favorite fiction books about Libraries and Librarians! These books inspire imagination, a love of reading, and are just plain fun!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may make a small commission. I only recommend books and resources that I’ve enjoyed personally, or believe that you would like. You can read my full disclosure here. You will also find information on Scripture translations there.

Picture Books about Libraries, Quill pen and parchment background

Picture Books About Libraries

The best picture books about libraries will capture the imagination and inspire so much fun. Here are some of my all-time favorite picture books about libraries:

Picture Books About Libraries Featuring Animals

These books about libraries starring different animals are so memorable and fun!

First, The Library Lion By Michelle Knudsen
This one is adorable because of course, wouldn’t you be concerned if a Lion walked into your library? And joined story hour? And who wouldn’t grow fond of such a Lion of Character? My 4-year-old and I have read this so many times.

Type: Picture Books about Libraries
Highlights:
-Compassion (displayed by even Mr. Grumpy the Librarian)
-Helpfulness (Lion is very helpful)
-Rules are important (but there Are exceptions)

The Library Mouse By Daniel Kirk  
This series of books has a curious and brave little mouse named Sam, who just happens to live in the library. He encourages creativity in others and loves to explore new things and places. We grin from ear to ear, whenever we pull out one of these books. If I can’t live in a Library, Reading books about libraries is almost as good!

Type: Picture Books about Libraries
Highlights:
-Creativity
-Love of Learning
-Trying new things

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog By Lisa Papp
Believe it or not, some libraries have a Read to a Dog program, where children who are learning to read can come to the library, curl up with a dog, and read to it.

This is the story of one little girl who DOES NOT like to read (She really struggles with reading out loud). Will Bonnie the Library Dog be able to help? A Must-Read for teachers, as it shows things from the perspective of a child who is trying very hard, and might need a reward for effort, even if the goal has not been met yet.

Type: Picture Books about Libraries
Highlights:
-Perseverance
-Trying something a different way (if this is too hard, try it this way instead)

More Children’s Books about Libraries Starring Animals

The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara
Another great book about libraries for animals! A special “midnight library” just for animals? COOL!  What books do turtles and wolves and owls read, anyway? This Helpful Little Librarian always knows the perfect one!

This one doubles as a good Bedtime story. (SCORE!!)

Type: Picture Books about Libraries
Highlights:
-Library Behavior
-Creative solutions

And we can’t have a set of animal-related books about libraries without including:

Curious George Visits The Library by Margaret and H.A. Rey
George is a Good Little Monkey (and Always Very Curious) so when he goes to the library for story hour, look out! How hard it is to be patient! And a moving Bookshelf? WOW! Now he can stock up on books to take home!

Type: Picture Books about Libraries
Highlights:
-Library Behavior
-Riding the book cart down the ramp (not recommended 🙂 )

The Best Children’s Books about Libraries Featuring Kids

Amelia Bedelia’s First Library Card By Herman Parish
Who here remembers reading Amelia Bedelia books as a kid? She was so literal-she would do EXACTLY what you said, so be careful, when you ask her to dust the furniture, she’s probably going outside to get some dust to sprinkle around!!

Or my favorite, when she was told to heat a can of soup. She set the soup, in the can, in a pot on the stove to warm up. She thought it was a bit odd, but did what she was told! (I know a few people like this in the real world though, so I’m learning to be very precise in my instructions.)

Well, the nephew of the original author (Peggy Parish) has continued the series and introduced us to an Elementary school Amelia Bedelia. she’s just as literal, and entertaining! (I really like Amelia Bedelia’s First Vote )

Even more fun, Amelia Bedelia’s First Library Card is full of misadventures. from ‘checking out’ a friend’s book, and not getting the one she wanted, to thinking a ‘Fine’ for a late return is better than a Terrible, You’ll laugh your way through this one for sure!

Type: Picture Books about Libraries, Early Reader
Highlights:
-How the Library works
-Consequences for not taking good care of books
-It’s easier than you think to be misunderstood.

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Middle school fiction books about libraries, quill pen and parchment background

Middle School Fiction Books about Libraries and Librarians

The Librarian (Little Boy Lost, and Unhappily Ever After) by Eric Hobbs

What if you could go inside your favorite story? Actually meet your favorite Characters? Sounds Amazing! It’s almost as good as a Star Trek Holodeck! But wait, what if your interaction causes a change in the story? What if this little detail changes? How does it affect the rest of the story? what about its effects in the real world?  *This one’s for those in upper Elementary or Middle School (and Adults Too!). it gets a little intense!

Type: Chapter Book
Highlights:
-What If? Use your imagination
-Fascinating Cliffhanger (don’t read if you can’t handle a cliffhanger)
-Unexpected Consequences

+ Over 100 fantastic middle grade books you don’t want to miss!

The Library of Ever

Ok, so the first chapter had me feeling a little bit sorry for Lenora and a little bit bored. But then the adventure began! The most important question I have is When Does Book 2 Release??! (the problem is ? I received book 1 from NetGalley as a prerelease, so I have no idea how long it will take!)

The Library of Ever is staffed by some brave Librarians, who are determined to defend knowledge (which gives light) from the Forces of Darkness.

I was intrigued by the creative way we are given a taste of so many different tidbits of knowledge. Enough to satisfy the story, but still make you want to know more, and maybe do a Google search or three!

Type: Chapter book

Highlights:

  • Courage
  • Guarding knowledge by sharing it
  • Learn some interesting facts and spark a desire to learn!

Check out the Librarians oath, it sounds like a homeschooling mom’s daily duty!

Do you swear to follow the librarian’s oath? Do you swear to work hard? Do you swear to venture forth bravely and find the answer to any question, no matter the challenge?

Do you swear to find a path for those who are lost, and improvise, and think on your feet, and rely on your wits and valor?

Do you swear to oppose the enemies of knowledge with all your courage and strength, wherever they might be found?

The Library of Ever

The Rebel Librarian

When you think of banned books, you typically think about foreign countries and history, right? Control freaks. Because knowledge is power. And the more people know the more likely they are to stand up for themselves and others.

You wouldn’t necessarily expect it in a middle American Middle school, though, would you? This is a powerful book about libraries (both authorized and underground).   Not expressly Christian, but I found nothing offensive in this book about libraries.

+I was recently given a copy of The Rebel Librarian by NetGalley, and I’m sharing it with you

Property of The Rebel Librarian  This book had me hooked within a couple of chapters. June is a middle school “good girl” caught with a scary book. Her parents are shocked that there could be anything objectionable in children’s books.   The broken trust here is painful for everyone. Reactions, both the knee-jerk and the calculated variety, shatter trust in all directions.  

As a Daughter

As a daughter and a bookworm, I totally sympathize with June. Discipline for me as a kid was taking away my books. It’s very painful. But nothing to the extreme that she endures! As a matter of fact, when I was in my 20s, working at a church, one member thought that I should NOT be reading these books, even though I was borrowing them from the Children’s Ministries Director.  

As a Mom

Being a mom, I get the overprotective instincts. (can’t explain exactly what I mean here without spoiling the plot) But I pray that I would be able to realize that I cannot and should not put my boys in a bubble for life!  

Instead, I try to answer the questions and have open discussions even now, so that they can be comfortable with bringing their questions to me later when it’s big things! Although if watching a particular movie is leading to poor behavior and language, I definitely take it away.  

And then there’s more broken trust and betrayal between friends, which shows off the loyalty of the few.   After all, knowing what makes a true friend is something we should all know more about.

Type: Chapter book, 5th Grade and up.

Highlights:

  • -Loyalty and betrayal,
  • -parenting/overprotectiveness,
  • -A great way to personalize study of the American Revolution, in my opinion, although it technically has absolutely nothing to do with the Revolution!  
Christian Fiction books about librarians for adults.

 Parchment and qull pen background

Christian Fiction Books About Librarians for Adults

The Librarians of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer

*Got this one from Netgalley, sharing my true opinions here.

This is Christian historical fiction at its finest. Set in the 1930s, it addresses prejudices, stereotypes, life during the Great Depression, and the healing power of a ‘kill’em with kindness’ attitude.

As far as books about libraries and librarians go, having a library situated inside a former smokehouse that reeks of ham, was ingenious, and makes me hungry when I think of it.

I was blown away by the determination Addie showed in doing the right thing, the kind thing, no matter the difficulty or the odds of success. Her transformation from relatively care-free to responsible adult was beautiful.

Bettina was something else entirely, but as a product of her circumstances, totally believeable!

Secrets of the Blue Hill Library by Emily Thomas(Guideposts Series)

This series follows a widowed librarian named Anne and her two kids, who live above the library in a small town in Pennsylvania, adventures, homework and all. There’s a renovation, a skeleton, political intrigue, a package full of money, and so much more.

Wendy, the Over-Eager volunteer, has a heart of gold, but no sense of proportion, or pre-planning. Anne finds herself caught up in unraveling a different mystery every month or so, and helping the police solve the crimes, sometimes putting herself in a tight spot without thinking.

Type: Chapter Book (Family Read, or Read alone ages 10-99)
Highlights:
-Clean
-Suspense without Violence
-Main Characters are Christian and not “Preachy”

The Matchmakers of Holly Circle By Chautona Havig

This one is a complicated situation between friends and neighbors, and NO ONE really knows what’s going on, which is Awesome! You’ve got a librarian, who is good at her job, content, and yet, is she? You’ve got the freelance writer, who is obviously fascinated with her. Or is he? And the old man down the street, who says Hey, Let’s play Poker. Either of you wins, you talk to me about Jesus. I win, You go on a date. WOW.

The Librarian’s sister is enough to drive anyone crazy from her very first appearance. The character you can be glad to dislike.

Type: Suggested age 14-99
Highlights:
-Clean, Christian story
-Somewhat of a mystery
-Definitely falls in the romance category, but as much if not more of the story is focused on other things, which is a Huge Plus in my book. I believe Christian romance stories have their place, but I don’t want to be overwhelmed by it!

What Are Your Favorite Fiction Books about Libraries?

  • Do you know of even more great books about libraries or librarians?
  • Amazing and unusual Library Programs?

I’d love to hear about them, please share in the comments below!

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