PANORAMA CITY : Dolls Find Place at Dedication of School Library

On the day they dedicated the new campus library in his wife’s memory, 82-year-old John Lanier told a short story about his life in Panorama City over the last 45 years.

Speaking to an assembly of about 750 squirmy students at Burton Street Elementary School, Lanier tried to explain how the area looked when he moved there from Hollywood in 1949. He described the pleasure he took in living across the street from the school’s playground. The school, with its daily ebb and flow of students, delighted him and had meant much to his wife, Jacquelyn, who died in 1993.

It was with his wife in mind that Lanier donated to the library her collection of 175 dolls, assembled from across the globe, as a symbol of his affection for the school and its students. In return, parents, teachers and students decided to dedicate the library in memory of Mrs. Lanier.

“I know my wife is very happy about this,” John Lanier told the students Friday, his voice cracking. Breaking into tears and unable to continue, he waved goodby and left the podium.

The students applauded.

The dolls, some of which come from as far away as Egypt and Cambodia, now stand as colorful ornaments atop the highest shelves in the library, located in a remodeled section of the building. Designed by Mission Hills architect Robert R. Lowe, the carpeted, high-ceilinged room, furnished with two couches, reading tables, chairs and seven computer terminals, features 5,000 titles in both English and Spanish.

A large, full-length mural depicting foliage and troll-like creatures decorates the rear wall.

Because the school had been used for a period of years as office space for the Los Angeles Unified School District, it lacked a fully stocked library upon reopening in 1991. Since funds were short within the school district, teacher Joanna Wiedoeft, other staff, parents and neighbors all pitched in, raising money to purchase books, furniture and computers.

Students raised $11,000 for the library by selling candy bars, said Socorro Patino, a parent of four children who attend the school. Other people donated their time on weekends to help stock and organize the new library, which opened soon after Christmas.

“We’re just happy the new library is here now,” said student Viviana Martinez.