Claremont resident Marguerite Nelson Raybould, a woman rarely apart from books her entire life, died on Saturday, April 25, 2009 in Claremont.  She was 58. 

A native of Seattle, Washington, Ms. Raybould was the daughter of John and Jeannette Nelson. In 1967, at age 17, she moved with her family to southern California, spending her final year of high school at Polytechnic School in Pasadena. 

Following high school graduation, Ms. Raybould earned her bachelor’s degree from Pomona College and her master’s degree in library science from the University of Southern California. 

A lifelong advocate for literacy, with a passionate belief that, in her own words, “the public library is the cornerstone of our democracy,” Ms. Raybould spent her entire career as a children’s librarian, a profession that she found very fulfilling.  

Soon after she completed graduate studies, Ms. Raybould accepted a job as children’s librarian with the Glendale Public Library, a position she held from 1973 to 1990.  

Leaving the Glendale library after almost 2 decades, Ms. Raybould then became supervisor of youth services at the Pomona Public Library, remaining in this position until 2007. In this capacity, she was in charge of the Children’s and Young Adult Departments, which involved collection development, coordination of story hours, summer reading programs and class visits. In addition, she volunteered her time to programs dedicated to reading aloud to children.

While at the Pomona Public Library, Ms. Raybould was head of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Room, a special collection of the classic children’s books and related memorabilia. She was also involved with the library’s annual Laura Ingalls Wilder Gingerbread Sociable, an event that attracts hundreds of children and adults alike, organized by the Friends of the Pomona Public Library.  In her childhood, she had been an avid reader of Ingalls’ “Little House” books and was delighted to “play a small part in continuing her legacy” she once told a reporter who had covered the popular event. 

In 2005, the International Reading Association recognized Ms. Raybould’s contributions by giving her their Celebrate Literacy Award for exemplary service in the promotion of reading.

“Connecting children with books, either for special information needs or for recreation, is important and meaningful,” she once said.

Following her retirement in 2007, Ms. Raybould devoted her time to her family and to supporting the activities of St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. She also enjoyed traveling and reading, and though she leaned toward mysteries and books on history, “she was an avid reader of all stripes,” said her daughter, Jeannette Raybould Matthews.

A breast cancer survivor, Ms. Raybould participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Ms. Raybould is survived by her husband of 37 years, Gary Raybould of Claremont; by her daughters, Jeannette Raybould Matthews of Macomb, Oklahoma and Mary Raybould Carnes of Newmarket, New Hampshire, and their spouses; by her father, John Reid Nelson, Jr. of Pasadena; by her sisters, Mary Nelson Hinckley of Portland, Oregon and Jeannette Nelson Helfrich of Pleasanton; by her 7 grandchildren; and by her 4 nieces. 

She was predeceased by her mother, Jeannette Lewis Nelson, and her brother, Jeffrey Reid Nelson.

Funeral services were held yesterday, May 1, 2009, at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, Claremont.