Hassler, Jon. Staggerford (New York: Ballantine, 1977) 294 p.

This powerfully moving novel features a minor character named Imogene Kite who is director of the Staggerford (Minn.) Public Library. She is tall and angular and bears somewhat of a resemblance to Abraham Lincoln. Her librarianish features include a habit of collecting facts on many wide-ranging topics. The principal character, Miles Pruitt, attends a football game and a Halloween party with her. Imogene has no sense of humor. She spends most of her time lecturing people from her vast supply of miscellaneous knowledge. As a reader I suppose I pitied her, but I also laughed at her a bit. Near the end of the story, Imogene engages in some fund raising for the library.