Librarian assisted children's reading

Barbara K. Roberson, a retired librarian whose love for books inspired her to volunteer for a school literacy program teaching young children how to read, died Feb. 2 in her home. She was 76.

Mrs. Roberson of Rossford died unexpectedly, her family said. They didn't know the cause of death.

Her career as a librarian spanned 33 years and included positions in libraries at the University of Toledo, Maumee, and Perrysburg.

"She loved it," said her sister, Margaret Swain.

Born Dec. 19, 1935 to Koerner and Margaret Leutz, she grew up in the Old West End. She graduated in 1953 from Scott High School.

Mrs. Roberson attended the University of Toledo, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education.

Mrs. Swain said her sister worked in the library at the college after earning her degree and attended the University of Michigan, earning a master's degree in library science.

From UT, Mrs. Roberson went to the Maumee Public Library, where she traveled with the system's bookmobile.

She later moved to the Way Public Library in Perrysburg, where she was director of the local history department and was instrumental in archiving the department. She retired Jan. 26, 1994.

She was married twice. Her marriage of 20 years to Paul Johnson ended in divorce in 1985. She married Scott Roberson on Aug. 2, 1986. He died Sept. 2, 2007.

In retirement, Mrs. Roberson was a volunteer in the literacy program Ohio Reads at Glenwood Elementary in Rossford.

"She was so passionate about reading. When she retired from the Way library she volunteered to help children who were having trouble reading," said daughter Karin Bean. "She had four children who she helped every week."

A member of First Unitarian Church on Glendale Avenue, she organized and archived the church's records and history during retirement.

"She started the library at the church. She was the church archivist," her daughter said.

Surviving are her daughters, Karin Kaye Bean and Kristin Anne Johnson; stepsons, Scott, Thomas, and William "Fritz" Roberson; sisters, Margaret Ann Swain and Elizabeth Frazen, and three grandchildren,

Memorial services will be at 3 p.m. Thursday in the First Unitarian Church, 3205 Glendale Ave., Toledo.

There will be no visitation. Arrangements are being handled by Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg.

The family requests tributes to First Unitarian Church or Paws and Whiskers Cat Shelter.