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My Tribute to Librarians in Romance

Librarians have always been my rock stars.

I suppose it couldn’t be helped. I’ve found my refuge in libraries for a long time. When I was in grade seven, I helped our school librarian during recess. Mrs. Coyne was an amazing lady who recognized my love for reading, and she fostered it regularly. At the end of my tenure in her library, she gave me a wonderful gift: my own set of personalized bookplates. I treasured them for a long time, carefully pasting them into the front covers of my beloved books. In fact, my weathered copies of the Narnia Chronicles still bear Mrs. Coyne’s bookplates.

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At the age of fourteen, I got my first real part-time job. As a Page at the Mimico Centennial Library in Toronto, it was my responsibility to shelve returned items and keep things tidy. There, I was in my element. I worked there for almost a decade, graduating into desk roles.

After trying out a few other careers, I ended up in a library once again. I now work in Acquisitions…that is, when I’m not writing romance novels. I’ve been with my local public library for almost ten years. Much of my life has been spent in these wonderful institutions, and I promote them wherever I can.

So, when I read about a character who shares my love of literacy, I get excited. And when I can combine my love of libraries with my love of romance, I’m in reader heaven.

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As it turns out, I’m far from alone! When I was tossing around the idea for this article, I reached out to the citizens of Romancelandia, and they responded with enthusiasm, giving me all sorts of recommendations. In particular, I’d like to thank Wendy from The Misadventures of Super Librarian. Wendy has been compiling a list of librarian romance for some time and kindly shared it with me. Check out her awesome list at her blog. And don’t forget to follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SuperWendy

Today, I am thrilled to share some of my favorite romances featuring library staffers. By no means is this as comprehensive a list as Wendy’s, but I hope it piques some interest and inspires you to “check out” a librarian romance. (See what I did there?)

American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera

The reviews for Adriana Herrera’s American Dreamer are nothing short of astounding. Featuring a youth services librarian and a food truck owner, this one is already at the top of many to-be-read lists.

Driven to Distraction by Olivia Dade

Olivia Dade’s Lovestruck Librarians series is favorite for many. Library lovers will pick up Driven to Distraction (book 3) for Big Bertha the Bookmobile, but they’ll stay for the sexy shenanigans that happen inside!

Her Perfect Affair by Priscilla Oliveras

You can count me in as one of the many Priscilla Oliveras fans out there, so naturally Her Perfect Affair is a big fave of mine. And so is librarian heroine Rosa Fernandez.

The Librarian and the Spy by Susan Mann

Librarians. Spies. Intrigue. This is what Susan Mann has given us in The Librarian and the Spy. Honestly, a librarian and a spy. What’s not to love?

Bad Bachelor by Stefanie London

If book has Stefanie London’s name on it, I’m all in, and Bad Bachelor is no exception to that rule. It’s full of chemistry and heat, and one can’t help but love the fact the protagonists must work together to save a struggling library.

As a library staffer and user, I’d like to end this article by urging you to visit your local library. If you haven’t been in a while, you will discover many things have changed, but all those wonderful core services remain. With my library card, not only can I access books like these twenty-four hours/day, I can share reviews, do easy downloads for when I’m traveling, and all those clicks help to support the authors we love.

If you aren’t finding the romances you want to read at your local library, tell the staff. I can tell you from experience most libraries will purchase the items suggested by customers, as long as they can find them. And if you are an author who would like to see your works in your public library, email them and tell them who you are, and that you are a local author. Libraries love that sort of thing. Chances are, they will purchase your books! Isn’t that amazing?

As for me, my tablet is stacked with romance ebooks and my pile of print books is enormous. So, I think I’m going to curl up with one of them now.

Happy reading!

Rosanna Leo

Rosanna Leo writes contemporary and paranormal romance. She is the First Place Winner of the 2018 Northern Hearts Contest (Contemporary Romance) for A Good Man, Handymen 1. From Toronto, Canada, Rosanna occupies a house in the suburbs with her husband and their two sons, and spends most of her time being tolerated by their cat Sweetie. When not writing, Rosanna works for her local library, where she is busy laying the groundwork to become a library ghost one day.