The events surrounding Lynne Sundstrom and Katy Larson’s courageous acts in support of picture books are well-known by now. Hugely successful, their efforts unexpectedly brought well-deserved, worldwide recognition to Birch Lane Elementary School and its library.

An event yielding such unimagined success is indeed noteworthy, newsworthy and praiseworthy. Completely overlooked in the process, however, is the fact that the entire project — even the very concept itself — was not in their job descriptions. These wonderful events were not the result of doing a great job on something they were required to do; rather, it was thinking outside the box of expected behavior. Budget cuts and increased competition for college entrance demand test score results, not personal growth and development. Getting the job done, and doing a good job are not necessarily synonymous.

The students of Birch Lane Elementary have become better readers with a greater love of books, which will positively impact them for the rest of their lives, and no doubt raise their test scores in the process. However, to recognize Sundstrom and Larson as examples of people who are not satisfied with doing just the minimum required; as examples of people who proactively seek ways to use their creativity, organizational skills, and who work hard and put in many extra hours to uplift, strengthen, and enrich the lives of the children within their stewardship with no thought of what’s in it for me? is to more fully appreciate just how fortunate Birch Lane students really are.

It should come as no surprise that many similar “above and beyond the call” events are sponsored by the Birch Lane library every year.

Sundstrom and Larson are superheroes in the truest sense of the word. They are, of course, only two of countless numbers of superheroes in the world today. How much better off we all would be if we — personally and as a society — recognized, encouraged and strove to emulate the qualities of character these superheroes exemplify.

David Street
Stockton

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