Turning the Last Page of a Librarian's Story

Cheryl Morris began volunteering at Kennedy Elementary School when her adopted son from Korea entered kindergarten.

To her surprise, there were no books from Korea in the elementary school’s library.

Now, the librarian is content, knowing the library’s circulation of about 11,000 books includes material from all over the world.

The abundance of multicultural material is just a part of the legacy that Morris leaves behind at

The longtime librarian’s announced her retirement earlier this year after she learned that looming budget deficits would cut her hours. Her last day with the Newark Unified School District was June 9.

A mother of two adopted children, Morris began volunteering in 1987 and eventually became the school’s paid librarian in 1994.

She has headed a number of programs, directed two school plays and coordinated two book fairs each year, and managed the school’s annual writing competition known as Young Authors.

Morris said her work has more than just checking out books to the students of Kennedy Elementary School.

She often incorporated drama when classes come to the library for classroom visits. For example, she held themed events tied to the students’ curriculum, whether it be about ancient Rome or American history.

“It’s about teaching children to be life-long learners,” Morris said.

She also focused on teaching them the basics of research, the parts of a book and other information that teachers may not be able to include in the classroom.

Books have always been a passion for Morris. She has enjoyed working with students for the past two decades. The school even has a book club for students in grades 4-6.

“I love working with students. They’ll tell you exactly how they feel,” Morris said.

In her copy of Kennedy Elementary’s 2010-11 yearbook, the students did just that, thanking the librarian for her caring nature and for being a part of the library, which one student described as an “escape.”

“Often times, it can be an escape,” Morris agreed.

Her plans for retirement are up in the air but will definitely include fishing and taking care of her granddaughter.