Annex at the Portageville library to honor Erma Brooks

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- For more than a half century, Erma Brooks was as much a part of the New Madrid County Library as the books that line the shelves.

Now Brooks, who died last May, will continue to be a part of the library she loved. Earlier this month, the annex to the Portageville Library was named in her honor.

Brooks' daughter, Susan Newman, who is also the Library's director, said while her mother wasn't one to call attention to herself, she knows she would be thrilled.

"The library was everything, basically her whole life," Newman said. "Our whole lives were scheduled around (the library's) payday and board meetings. She loved it."

Brooks began working at the library in March 1950. When the library moved from New Madrid to Portageville in 1952, she took another job only to return to work at the library in 1956.

In an article Brooks wrote in 2003, she noted her duties over the years were "anything from reshelving books to serving hot dogs at a picnic in the park after the Summer Reading Program to riding on floats in the Soybean Festival and other celebrations all over the county."

Brooks also kept the books for the county library system, which includes the main facility in Portageville and branches at New Madrid, Parma, Risco, Gideon, Matthews and Morehouse.

"She used to tell me working with numbers always relaxed her," recalled Newman. "She would work with her books and calm down."

According to Newman, her mother's favorite part of her job was the patrons who came through the library doors. Prior to the 1993 fire which destroyed part of the library, Brooks' office was close to the front door where many would stop in, including Newman.

"I grew up in this place ... spent countless hours here," Newman said. "I guess we have ink in our blood."

Newman explained when she was approached about becoming library director, she initially wasn't sure she could do the job. However, realizing she would be able to work with her mother, she accepted.

"I think she was excited when I got the job. She knew I would take care of it like she had -- that her legacy would live on," Newman said. "And she was invaluable to me. I couldn't have done it without her. She knew all the ins and outs."

After a year working together, Brooks retired on Dec. 31, 2009.

Newman said the irony of her retirement was it finally gave her mother time to read. Brooks especially enjoyed non-fiction books and biographies.

Also, Newman added, she would often go home and talk with her mother about what was going on at the library.

"We would hash it out. She gave practical, everyday suggestions for various things that came up," she added.

Following Brooks' death this past May, the Library Board suggested honoring her. In choosing to put her name above the annex, Newman pointed out while it had housed the Portageville Fire Department, the building's second floor was once home for the library.

The library annex is where the nonfiction and reference books are shelved.

Looking up at the lettering over the doorway and at the books just beyond, Newman said it was the perfect choice: "This was her area."