Dee Crowner

Whodunnit books mean hilarity

Two things always make Dee Crowner laugh: Books and children.

“I love to see what kids do, they make me laugh all of the time,” Crowner said.

Fortunately for Crowner, she has chosen a profession where she can laugh all day long. Crowner has been the director of the North Liberty Community Library for 21 years.

Books she always can count on for some laughter are the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Plum is the protagonist in the mystery novels.

“There’s just so much humor in it,” Crowner said. “It’s just the way she writes that’s a hoot.”

However, Crowner said she usually has to listen to the audio version of the books because she has a habit of reading the last chapter of books first, which spoils most of the fun for a mystery novel. Instead, she listens to them in her car, laughing all the way and sometimes causing confusion for her passengers.

“It’s almost constant laughing,” she said.

Children who visit the library also make her chuckle. She said seeing their faces as they come into the library and spot the resident pet guinea pig always makes her laugh.

“Kids are just excited about life,” Crowner said.

A sense of humor is a necessity to survive in her line of work. While Crowner said she appreciates all of the library patrons, sometimes they do things that make her shake her head and wonder.

“Patience and humor will get you through,” she said.

— Lee Hermiston

Iowa City Press-Citizen -- March 12, 2009