Take a look in front of you and meet two of the most dedicated bookworms in Corvallis-at least in bronze form! This is the Story Time sculpture by Gary Lee Price, a local favorite that greets everyone outside the Corvallis-Benton County Library. If you listen closely, I swear you can almost hear the pages turning-or maybe that’s just my imagination running wild again!
Picture the scene: It’s a peaceful afternoon, sun dappling through the trees. In the middle of all that quiet excitement, you find this boy and girl sitting back to back, each completely lost in their own adventure. The boy, cross-legged, looks like he’s about to discover a secret dragon. The girl, with her braids and relaxed posture, might be making friends with a mermaid or planning to solve a mystery-perhaps even on these very streets!
But there’s more than just a love of stories here. This sculpture is a heartfelt tribute to Jeanne H. Larson. Jeanne was the library’s director from 1948 all the way to 1967 and helped shape the library into what it is today. You might say she was the real hero of the story-no superhero cape needed, just a passion for spreading the joy of reading! The Larson family and community pitched in to bring this piece to life as a thank you to Jeanne and her biggest supporter, Robert Kermit Larson.
Story Time was dedicated in 1993, and so far, the only “weathering” it’s endured is an occasional giggle from passersby who wish the books were real. There’s a plaque here, too, with words reminding us just how important libraries are to the future of our children.
So next time you get lost in a book, think of these two, frozen in their endless adventure. And if you catch them turning a page, well, you might just be part of the magic yourself! Shall we wander on to our next stop?
