Entering the library at Meadowview Elementary School is like walking into a place of adventure. And that’s exactly what librarian Glenda Davis wants her students to believe.

A knight in shinning armor named Sir Read A-Lot guards the castle door leading into the library. Once inside two dragons, one seated on shelf while the other flies overhead, greet students as they enter.

Sometimes students arrive at the library and find, not Davis, but a patriotic Uncle Sam, a magician in a black cape and top hat, Rosa Parks, or the popular Lady Glenda of Meadowview Castle.

“The librarian I hired never seems to stay put,” said Meadowview Principal Janis Stewart. “These other people take her place time after time much to the delight of the students.”

Davis’ dedication to making reading an adventure for students recently led her to receive the Alabama Library and Media Professional (L.A.M.P.) Award for Exceptional Service during a conference in Montgomery.

Davis was one of three Montgomery-area librarians, including Dallas County High’s Cynthia Moore, to receive the award.

“Principal Stewart was the one who nominated me,” Davis said. “It was really special to be up on stage with Dr. (Joseph) Morton (State Superintendent of Education.)”

Davis, who is in her third year working at Meadowview, received a plaque in recognition for her award.

It’s her love of working with children, Davis says, that keeps her excited and ready to come to school everyday.

The librarian has even come up with a way to keep kids interested in books by awarding points to become the King and Queen of Meadowview Castle.

Students with the most Accelerated Reader points and those who are the most improved readers in their class get to join the Readers of the Round Table luncheon each six weeks and have a special dessert with their lunches.

Davis also posts their pictures on a special board and students move from level to level as they meet the AR point requirements for each grade.

“Glenda Davis makes going to the library fun,” Stewart said. “It’s a place were books come alive, and that is a magical happening in today’s world where video and computer games occupy so much a child’s afternoon.”

Davis says she has such a passion for encouraging children to read because it is at the heart of everything they do.

“It is a joy to work with students each day to help them enter the wonderful world of reading” Davis said.