A Library of Dreams

“Oh, for a nook and a storybook
With tales both new and old.
For a jolly good book whereon to look
Is better to me than gold.”
— Old English Song.

Poets, teachers and academics have long stressed the importance of reading as a formative component of young minds. At the Palmer School, teachers encourage strong reading habits for their students. Now, thanks to a generous donation from the Edmondson family, the school boasts a new library filled with the promise of adventure after adventure waiting to be read on its shelves.

The Edmondsons’ partnership with Palmer Home came about in 2014, as Stephanie Edmondson mourned the loss of a close family friend. In an effort to honor her friend’s legacy, she contacted  Palmer Home for Children to find out if there was some way she could be involved in making an impact there. As a result of that conversation, Palmer Home’s TrebleMakers choir visited Edmondson’s church to sing, and Stephanie quickly became friends with the choir director.  From there, things just began to fall into place.

Since that first conversation with Palmer Home in 2014, Stephanie, her husband Tim, and their business Edmondson Farms have been generous supporters–both financially and through the investment of time into the children on our campuses. Edmondson Farms has become a treasured Palmer Partner, and the Edmondson family have become dearest friends of Palmer Home.

Stephanie was originally quite involved with the TrebleMakers, even helping spruce up their practice space and equipment. In time, she also began to invest in the Palmer School. “What inspired me was the need of the school. We wanted to honor my mother-in-law, and they needed a library,” Edmondson said.  The next step seemed obvious.

The Bettye Edmondson Library officially opened just before Christmas, with the occasion marked by a visit from local author Laurie Parker that Stephanie helped arrange.

The Edmondson family provided most of the furnishings. A decorator by trade, Stephanie had some ideas of how the space should look, but their extended family helped design reading nooks within the library and add their personal touches to the room.

In addition to designing and furnishing the space, Edmondson family members and several churches provided books to fill the shelves with books and familiar characters. Additional books from the Palmer School also found a new home in the library.

The dedication of the library itself isn’t the end of Palmer Home’s literary needs. The school is always happy to welcome volunteers to read to a classroom or even listen to children practice their developing reading skills. And of course, as with any good library, more books are always welcome! Consider donating your favorite book to the collection, so children at Palmer Home can enjoy the gift of reading for years to come in the Bettye Edmondson Library.