The Treasures of Mrs. Grady's Library

The Treasures of Mrs. Grady's Library

Judge Olly Neal grew up in Arkansas during the ’50s and didn’t care much for high school. One day he wandered into the library, where he came across a book by African-American author Frank Yerby. The cover piqued his interest, but Olly didn’t want to risk his reputation by letting his classmates see him voluntarily reading. So rather than check out the book, he stole it.

He recounts how this book — and a little nudge from two helpful librarians — turned him around academically.

This all-new animated short is presented as part of the new StoryCorps animation season, “Moments that Define,” where StoryCorps participants share the turning points that have shaped them.

Directed by
Richard O’Connor

Executive Producers
Dave Isay
Rachel Hartman

Producer
Savannah Winchester

Audio Produced by
Vanara Taing

Supervising Sound Recordist
Yasmin Peña

Audio Mixed By
Jarrett Floyd

Animation by
Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., LLC

Design
Keenon Ferrell

Animators
Taisiya Zaretskaya
Natalie Greene
Wanda Noonan

Original Music
Joshua Abrams

Music Performed by
Joshua Abrams
Hamid Drake
Marquis Hill
Emmett Kelly
Adam Thornburg

Music Mixed by
Joshua Abrams
Neil Strauch

Outro Music by
“Towboat Theme” by Blue Dot Sessions
From the Album Towboat
Published by Blue Dot Sessions

Special Thanks
Karama Neal
Judge Olly Neal

In Partnership with
American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress
NPR
POV

Funding Provided by
Corporation for Public Broadcasting [logo]

A private corporation funded by the American people.

Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund

Copyright © StoryCorps 2018. All Rights Reserved.

38 Comments

  1. Edison Espinosa on April 6, 2023 at 2:56 pm

    TRUE GOAT

  2. Sha Shee on April 6, 2023 at 2:56 pm

    Thank you Mrs. Grady

  3. PogieJoe on April 6, 2023 at 2:56 pm

    I’m so glad you brought the animations back! They are so lovely and this story was so sweet.

  4. Emma Cat on April 6, 2023 at 2:59 pm

    They are awesome! <3

  5. TheLostSkeleton on April 6, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    So wholesome. Love Story Corps.

  6. Maurice Guest on April 6, 2023 at 3:01 pm

    Awesome story and great animation! For an educator who tells stories when I teach, how can I get animations such as these? Can you help me please?

  7. RCB on April 6, 2023 at 3:01 pm

    Interesting story!

  8. Soda Boi on April 6, 2023 at 3:01 pm

    Such a sweet story…

  9. Jan Uzzell on April 6, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    Ah! God Bless The Librarians 😀 Each and every one of them – great story

  10. Tyler Griffin on April 6, 2023 at 3:07 pm

    That’s unreal. I freaking love this channel!!

  11. Studio Audience on April 6, 2023 at 3:07 pm

    This story brought a smile to my face.

  12. Pam Williams on April 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm

    I wanted them to know that all I could do was fight and cuss! I love his voice.

  13. StarChild on April 6, 2023 at 3:12 pm

    What a sweet lady

  14. Takeia Starks on April 6, 2023 at 3:13 pm

    I love this story! 💕💕

  15. MrExcelsior on April 6, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    What a beautiful story

  16. Barbara Butterfield on April 6, 2023 at 3:16 pm

    I love storycorps! I couldn’t sleep last night, I always seem to wake up around 3 or 4am. So I turned the TV on and there was a Storycorps clip about a man named Wendell Scott. Mr Scott was the first black stock car racer. Inspirational!! Today I found Storycorps on YouTube!!! New subscriber😁

  17. Black Phoenix on April 6, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    Librarians are braver than I thought 🥰 ; reading fundamental

  18. Elizabeth Bennett on April 6, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    I love story corps The stories and the wonderful animation.

  19. Tea Kai on April 6, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    ohhh, how beautiful!

  20. AlexLampeMusic on April 6, 2023 at 3:23 pm

    That’s an amazing story! I’m happy the animations are back, too.

  21. Chirpilittle on April 6, 2023 at 3:25 pm

    Absolutely beautiful!

  22. Al on April 6, 2023 at 3:28 pm

    Great librarians mean the world… ❤️

  23. Betty Brown-Chappell on April 6, 2023 at 3:29 pm

    Wonderful story

  24. A Family Daycare on April 6, 2023 at 3:29 pm

    What a great story!

  25. Idon'tevenknow on April 6, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    I love my library as a kid. I was really into comics and the parents were not thrilled about them because whatever reasons they had. The librarians would give me comics to read during my library period and I got to read ones that were super interesting like Castle Waiting and these indie comics that were not common at stores. Libraries are just a safe space to read and relax without being bothered or bullied as a kid.

  26. Jason Carpp on April 6, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    I love listening to *"Story Corps".* My local radio station (88.5 knkx) plays it frequently.

  27. Blue Dot Sessions on April 6, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    Thanks as always for having us.

  28. Elise Ferrier Scarpa on April 6, 2023 at 3:32 pm

    Excellent librarian. Great story. ♥️

  29. Daniel Mathews on April 6, 2023 at 3:35 pm

    Those were some darn good librarians

  30. eartianfizz on April 6, 2023 at 3:36 pm

    What a great story ❤❤❤❤

  31. Pollomusic on April 6, 2023 at 3:43 pm

    ❤this is actually a beautiful story

  32. Charles Hettrick on April 6, 2023 at 3:43 pm

    Librarians are under appreciated. You were very fortunate you got caught.

  33. Spookydeathasian on April 6, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    This story made me cry the first couple of times I saw it. It’s such a beautiful thing.

  34. moon book on April 6, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    That why I love libraries and the people who work there

  35. Anna Tullison on April 6, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    WHAT A GREAT STORY……THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL REAL TEACHERS!!!

  36. Air20 on April 6, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    Now this, does bring a smile to my face

  37. Cathy Stuart on April 6, 2023 at 3:49 pm

    The Liberian showed her wisdom and knowledge.
    Wisdom to encourage the young man to read without scolding him
    And knowledge to provide him with the book he wanted to read.

  38. Mr. Variant on April 6, 2023 at 3:50 pm

    Lol stealing knowledge, but smart librarian didn’t want to embarrass him

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