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.
TRUE GOAT
Thank you Mrs. Grady
I’m so glad you brought the animations back! They are so lovely and this story was so sweet.
They are awesome! <3
So wholesome. Love Story Corps.
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?
Interesting story!
Such a sweet story…
Ah! God Bless The Librarians 😀 Each and every one of them – great story
That’s unreal. I freaking love this channel!!
This story brought a smile to my face.
I wanted them to know that all I could do was fight and cuss! I love his voice.
What a sweet lady
I love this story! 💕💕
What a beautiful story
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😁
Librarians are braver than I thought 🥰 ; reading fundamental
I love story corps The stories and the wonderful animation.
ohhh, how beautiful!
That’s an amazing story! I’m happy the animations are back, too.
Absolutely beautiful!
Great librarians mean the world… ❤️
Wonderful story
What a great story!
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.
I love listening to *"Story Corps".* My local radio station (88.5 knkx) plays it frequently.
Thanks as always for having us.
Excellent librarian. Great story. ♥️
Those were some darn good librarians
What a great story ❤❤❤❤
❤this is actually a beautiful story
Librarians are under appreciated. You were very fortunate you got caught.
This story made me cry the first couple of times I saw it. It’s such a beautiful thing.
That why I love libraries and the people who work there
WHAT A GREAT STORY……THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL REAL TEACHERS!!!
Now this, does bring a smile to my face
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.
Lol stealing knowledge, but smart librarian didn’t want to embarrass him