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Letter to the editor

After discovering books, he rarely strayed from the library

Even in retirement, Leo Meirose returned to work because of his love for literature.

By STEPHANIE HAYES, Times Staff Writer
Published September 1, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Leo H. Meirose Sr., Chapter One.

Leo is a baby in Cincinnati when his father dies in a train accident. His mother is left to raise four children, and times are tight. Young Leo doesn't have much access to books, but he is wise beyond his years.

In high school, Leo becomes transfixed by literature - Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, historical tales. He hungers for information. It's the start of his life's work.

Chapter Two

In the 1950s, he starts a family and pours himself into the Cincinnati public library system. He works as director of films and periodicals, then of branch libraries.

In 1964, Leo moves to Fort Lauderdale, where he becomes the city's library director. In poor neighborhoods, he converts vacant retail stores into libraries.

He's hired as director of libraries for the Tampa-Hillsborough library system in 1972. He helps design libraries, because he knows them. The architects have fancy ideas, but Leo knows what functions and what doesn't.

He's quiet and calm, but he fights the stigma of passivity. He gets to know local politicians and leaders, and if he has a problem, he goes straight to the mayor.

Then, a problem comes to him.

There are some sex education books on his library shelves, one called Where Did I Come From? Some civic leaders call for the books' removal, but Leo says no.

He's not seeking publicity, says his son, Leo Jr. He's just sticking to his belief that libraries are places of intellectual freedom.

Leo Jr. takes a business trip to Boston and flips on the hotel television. His dad is on CBS Evening News.

Chapter Three

For the first 10 years of Leo's retirement, he works.

He turns down a job as Florida's state librarian, his son says, and goes back to Cincinnati. He takes time off for a bit, but then starts work as library director in Clermont County, Ohio.

In 1992, he finally, actually, really retires.

He takes in baseball games and cheers for Notre Dame football. In 2001, he moves to St. Petersburg, where his family lives.

He attends the Florida Orchestra and the Pinellas Youth Symphony. Every so often, Leo takes a trip to South Bend, Ind., to see his favorite football team in person.

Leo has a minor operation, and contracts pneumonia. He doesn't recover, and dies at age 85.

He'll be buried in Cincinnati, where his story began.

Stephanie Hayes can be reached at shayes@sptimes.com or 727 893-8857.

Biography

Leo H. Meirose Sr.

Born: Oct. 25, 1922.

Died: Aug. 30, 2007.

Survivors: Children, Leo H. Meirose Jr., Mary Oppenheim, JoAnn Balistreri, Marti Moorefield, John Meirose, Judy Meirose; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. Brett Funeral Home.

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 22:53:26]