Historical June 1991 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The tiny structure at the corner of Kingsbury & Des Peres seems intimidating from the outside by the very smallness of the structure; one pictures oneself inside sneezing from the dust of too many books packed too tightly together and tripping over other patrons to cramped for easy browsing.
All this is presided over by a harassed librarian who frowns darkly at anyone who stays too long.
This image is quickly dispelled once inside the Kiosk.
It seems to have the proverbial rubber walls that stretch to accommodate as the library fills up.
The Kiosk is indeed full of books, and patrons which are directed as needed by the librarian. Mary Ann Shickman. Mary Ann brings a warm, vibrant presence to the Kiosk.
On any given day a typical scene may include children sitting on the floor, looking through the large selection of picture books; someone else may be at the computer ordering books (which will be delivered to the Kiosk from other city libraries), while other patrons may be discussing new books or asking questions about one of the upcoming Kiosksponsored events. Mary Ann believes, “A library should be a busy, happy place!’ To promote reading and to keep the neighborhood residents coming back, Mary Ann keeps a full calendar of library events. Every spring there is a Kiosk Karnival and birthday party on the sidewalk in front. extending onto the ample lawn on the south side of the building. Members of the local police and fire departments, themselves regular patrons, will be there.
The firemen will have a “hook ‘n ladder” for the children to investigate, and the policeman will be mounted on the horses which city children find so fascinating.
In addition to the Karnival-Birthday Party, Mary Ann organizes a Christmas Party and a party for the children in the Summer Reading Program.
All parties feature refreshments, dancing, games. story telling and prizes donated by local merchants.
In July comes the pet photo contest. Throughout the year, Mary Ann writes for the Times.
Her regular column features stories about Kiosk patrons. book reviews and upcoming library events. Mary Ann attributes her enthusiasm for her outreach program to her college mentor, Sister Mary Dawling, the librarian at Maryville College during the period when Mary Ann was a student there. Mary Ann worked under Sr. Mary for 4 years until her graduation in 1954. Mary Ann describes Sr. Mary as a “real character, full of life, investigative and curious.” Following graduation, Mary Ann worked for the Welfare Department for a short period, then seized a job lead in California which allowed her to fulfill her dream of living by the ocean.
While there Mary Ann continued her education at the University of California Campus at Berkeley. Returning to St. Louis in the early 60’s, Mary Ann became involved in the fledgling civil rights movement, participating in demonstrations with the Congress for Racial Equality.
A highlight was meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, whom she describes as a warm, brilliant man.
During these years Mary Ann taught English at the junior high school level. then was hired as a librarian at St. Louis University.
The University sent her to graduate school at Washington University where she eventually earned 18 graduate hours in library science. Mary Ann supplemented her income and fed her interest in the arts by dancing in the chorus line at the Muny Opera and doing bit parts at the now extinct Empress Theatre. Mary Ann shared the stage with “past their peak” movie stars such as Margaret O’Brien who played there in “Peg O’ My Heart.” In 1964 Mary Ann married Allan Shickman whom she accompanied to Iowa City, Iowa where Allan taught Art History. Mary Ann developed a career in real estate, eventually becoming a member of the Million Dollar Club.
The Shickman’s designed and built a beautiful home on a bluff overlooking the Cedar River.
During the summers the Shickman’s traveled extensively in Italy, Germany, Austria, England and Ireland. Mary Ann spent two years studying French at the Institute Catholique in Paris.
When Mary Ann returned to St. Louis in 1983 to attend her mother’s funeral, she realized how much she had missed the diversity of urban life. Mary Ann says her years in Iowa have given her a deeper appreciation of the beauty of St. Louis.
She particularly recalls being struck one evening by the charming picture made by an equestrian policeman riding down one of the lamp lit Central West End streets. Mary Ann was hired by the St. Louis Public Library and assigned to the newly opened Kingsbury Kiosk. Divorced in 1987. Mary Ann currently shares her home with Octopussy, a Turkish long hair cat and Tyrone an alley cat—very large.
In addition to her pets, Mary Ann says the library patrons have become her family.
She does not feel claustrophobic spending her days in the Kiosk, but she is “always looking out, watching people go by and thinking of ways to bring them in.”
Original photograph caption
Mary Ann Shickman. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1991.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1991_06.pdf, printed page(s) 8; PDF page(s) 8.
