The fair is well-known and has a widespread following and raised approximately $150,000 dollars for the library in July. Marilyn's husband Steve is also involved in bringing the fair to life. There are 400 volunteers who need to be put into slots over the entire life of the fair, sorting books, checking out the books sold, etc. etc. etc. And Marilyn is very experienced, having done it many times!

Last night there was a lovely cocktail party at Newberry honoring us volunteers. Steve was one of the speakers--explaining how the entire fair is organized from start to finish. (It's complex.) And Dan Crawford, another extraordinary personality associated with the fair, who is best known for pricing books, wrote--and read--a poem about our very own South Looper Marilyn and her trials and tribulations coordinating all those many volunteers. It's amusing. And his words say it all.

And here it is.... Enjoy!

Tribute: October 2, 2012 (and none too soon)

by Dan Crawford

Marilyn Scott’s

Got some 400 slots

To fill in with bright volunteers;

Which she does to an inch:

The job’s such a cinch,

She’s enjoyed it for all of these years.

Robin wants to come on Friday, but from only 1 to 3,

Jordan likes to set up Fiction, but will not do M through Z.

Terence loves to count the money, but cannot count up to 4,

Abraham works best when seated but not too close to the door.

Phillip won’t work days when Alice does: there’s been a little rift,

Where to put Mercedes this year? I don’t want her on MY shift!

Mickey works best in the morning; after lunch he needs a nap;

Rodney’s better after feeding—when he’s hungry, he can snap.

Lulu likes to be a greeter, but she cops an attitude;

Last year Daisy bit a patron (who deserved it but he sued.)

Katie says she’ll work “Whenever”. Oops! She cancelled; scratch her out.

Maybe we’ll fill in with Freddy: He’ll be here all week, no doubt.

Email forms out. One hour later, changes come cascading in:

Freddy’s going to a wedding; Frances went and broke her shin;

Vincent got the dates mixed up; he has to come on Saturday;

Wendy has a flooded basement: if it rains, she cannot stay;

Annie’s in to set up art books, but she must work sitting down;

Emails just bounce back from Sarah; I hear she’s moved out of town:

Circle left and change assignments: Thursday? Friday? Do-si-do!

Book Fair set up starts tomorrow: switch all shifts, on with the show!

Marilyn Scott’s

Got these 400 slots

To herd all these gerbils into;

She’s worked without pause

Or thought of applause

Which she now gets from me and from you.

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By stephen reginald from south loop
Posted: 10/04/2012 12:02 PM

Good work, Marilyn!

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By Bill Tyre from South Loop
Posted: 10/04/2012 8:40 AM

Congratulations on receiving some well-deserved recognition for your countless hours of volunteering at the Newberry! Your 23 years of service at Glessner House Museum are worthy of yet another poem, but being no poet myself, I won't even try to wax poetic about all you do for the museum and the community.

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By kathleen from Printer's Row
Posted: 10/03/2012 7:17 PM

Kudos to you Marilyn!! That is a work of love that you do all the coordinating. I am in the same book club as your daughter, Lisa. Hope you continue your good work for another 20 years!!