Grand View Elementary School Library-- About Mrs. Snively

I am a native Californian (born the year before Disneyland opened) and I grew up in nearby Carson. My best friend loved to read as much as I did, and she, too, grew up to be a "library lady!"

My father inspired me to tackle more difficult books by reading aloud to me from Nancy Drew mystery stories, but stopping right at the exciting parts. When everyone else was asleep I stayed up late sounding out the hard words by the feeble glow of my night light because I just had to find out what would happen to Nancy, George, and Bess in the next chapter! That well-worn set of Nancy Drew mysteries is one of my prized possessions.

Mrs. LaSalle was my librarian at Leapwood Avenue Elementary School and I used to help her straighten the shelves. My favorite books to check out in those early days: "Madeline" by Ludwig Bemelmans, "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster, "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie, and (of course!) "Heidi" by Johanna Spyri.

In junior high I was crazy about two bands: The Monkees and The Doors. In high school I stacked Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell albums on my record player.

I graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a degree in journalism and was recognized as "Woman Journalist of the Year," but after a short internship at the Daily Breeze I realized the rough-and-ready world of the press room was not for me.

Some jobs I have had in the past include painting billiard lamps; training young people to be Fotomates; reading for the blind; and waiting tables at Bob's Big Boy and The Kettle. I have been the Library Media Specialist at Grand View since 1999. In June 2008 I was honored as MBUSD Classified Employee of the Year due, in large part, to the extraordinary support the Library Program receives from parent volunteers.

I have visited England, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Holland, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. Someday, I hope to see more of the United States by visiting some of our country's beautiful baseball stadiums. I belong to three book clubs and count gardening as a favorite pastime. I am a member of the South Bay Literacy Council which provides free tutors to adults seeking literacy skills. I can play four songs on the piano: "For What It's Worth," "Stairway to Heaven," "Fire and Rain," and "Christmas Time is Here." I collect music boxes and have more than fifty -- some of which are on display in the library.

My two sons, River and Rory, were Grand View Gators. River was recognized as a National Merit Scholar while at Mira Costa High School, and will attend the University of California at Berkeley in the fall to study mathematics and science. Rory will be a junior at Costa in the fall. He is on the badminton team and plays the alto sax in the marching band, and guitar and drums with friends in our garage. Rory has been accepted to the Link Crew and will assist incoming freshmen with getting acquainted with Mira Costa.

Steve, my husband of twenty years, sells software and grew up in Carefree, Arizona, where he rode his horse, BigEnough, to his four-room schoolhouse. Steve always manages to beat my score when we play Hearts (but I can hold my own when we play Gin Rummy)!