students working with librarian

BY THE BOOK
Landmark’s librarians create a safe haven in the stacks 

By Hazel Crowley

Both Linda Sylvester (EMS) and Amy Veling (HS) remember always wanting to be teachers.

Linda Sylvester

Elementary•Middle School Librarian

Inspired by the storied career of a grandmother, Linda completed coursework at the Simmons Center for the Study of Children’s Literature and, after years as a classroom teacher elsewhere, came to Landmark in 2008. To her, the library is a safe haven where she hopes students begin to love literature. “If we teach to dice carrots but never make stew, the children will never be able to fully immerse themselves in the love of a story. I’m so fortunate to know every student and feel honored to put books in kids’ hands.” 

Linda Sylvester EMS Librarian standing in front of book stacks

Favorite book she read as a youth:
The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I revisited it as an adult and was wowed by the vocabulary. As a kid, I surely didn’t know what the word obsequious meant!

Favorite book she’s read recently:
The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Olivia Tatum, an eighth grader, recommended it so enthusiastically, I’ve since bought two copies for the library!

Favorite genre to recommend:
I love fantasy, but I’ll go to bat for anything with a redemption arc!

Favorite hobbies outside of school:
Knitting, walking, and travel. “Must we stay? Can’t we go?” has long been our unofficial family motto.

Favorite literary nickname:
My grandchildren call meMarmee, like in Little Women.

Amy Veling

High School Librarian

Raised alongside three younger sisters with disabilities, Amy observed Landmark while an undergrad at Gordon College in Wenham. She was wonderstruck that such an institution existed, and has been at Landmark the 27 years since. For her, the library is also a refuge—both for struggling readers and aimless researchers. “In our digital age, it’s so easy to get information from a post on social media. I love that kids can come to the library to read, explore, analyze, slow down their investigation, and get lost in the experience.”

Amy Veling High School Librarian

Favorite book she read as a youth:
The Nancy Drew series. I liked that it was logical but not gory. I’ve always preferred to keep my hands clean!

Favorite book she’s read recently:
I’m excited to start Wellness, by Nathan Hill, and discuss with other Landmark folks as host of the second annual faculty book club!

Favorite genre to recommend:
Mystery and true crime are very in right now. I’ve also worked to stock the library with different graphic novels—to be read, not instead of, but in conjunction with the classics!

Favorite hobbies outside of school:
My 10-year-old son, James, does karate. I usually bring a book, but it’s so fun, I often get distracted watching him!

Favorite literary nickname:
I’d like to think I am kind of a Nancy Drew. A librarian must do a fair bit of sleuthing!

Article originally published in The Lantern Fall/Winter 2024.

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