“Librarian’s Shelf” by Robert Trautwein   Shelves Filled With Books On Parenting While I’m writing from the vantage point of an empty nester, my wife and I remain parents, albeit parents of grown men. And, as of a few months ago, we became happy grandparents. The issues of parenting, however, remain an element in our lives. This is as it should be. For as responsible adults, we, and I dare say, every human has a kindred responsibility for children—whose ever they may be. Years ago, in cooperation with the Columbus Collaborative Team (now called “Connect Columbus”), the Library installed shelving and books in the “Children’s Room” specifically on the topic of parenting. The idea was have the books as near as possible to where the parents would be. What better place than in the “Children’s Room,” where parents bring their children. The books in this collection include many topics related to parenting. “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” by Heidi Murkoff promises to reassure the concerns of mothers- and fathers-to-be from the planning stages through postpartum. Similarly, “Your Pregnancy, Week by Week” by Glade Curtis is now in its sixth revised and updated edition. Dr. Curtis explains how mother and baby are changing, provides the latest information about medical tests and procedures, and offers tips on nutrition. Books on adoption are always popular. A new one by Brette Sember is entitled “Adoption Answer Book, Your Complete Guide to a Successful Adoption.” Another book, “The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Adoption” by Elizabeth Falker provides up-to-date information and insights on both domestic and international adoption. “Special Needs Planning Guide, How to Prepare for Every State of Your Child’s Life” by John Nadworny is an excellent book about parenting children with special needs. The author, a financial planning expert, offers lasting financial, legal, and emotional advice to these families. Books on the parenting shelf also deal with some of the harsh realities of parenting. Dr. Marc Ackerman’s “Does Wednesday Mean Mom’s House or Dad’s?” brings the issue of divorce and its effects on children to a plateau rarely described. Dr. Ackerman coaches the reader on every aspect of divorce, custody, and co-parenting. An Al-Anon Family book, “Opening Our Hearts, Transforming Our Losses” is a welcomed resource for families where alcoholism is a factor in parenting. Among the many subjects related to parenting, other titles include: “Youth With Conduct Disorder, by Kenneth McIntosh; “Louder than Words, a Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism” by Jenne McCarty; “What Every Woman Should Know about Divorce and Custody” by Gayle Rosewald Smith; “Kids are American Too by Bill O’Reilly; “Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline” by Becky A. Bailey; and “Working Fathers, New Strategies for Balancing Work and Family” by James A. Levine In addition to the book on the “Parenting Shelf” in the Children’s Room, the Library offers many other titles in regularly Dewey arranged shelves. A quick look at the online catalog can inform the user of hundreds of other subjects and titles related to our responsibilities to those we parent.