When young readers in the Mohawk Valley open a book in their local library they might see a stamp stating, “Library of Susan Robin West.”
Any child finding these stories is not alone as they delve into a magical world of fairy tales or go on an adventure with a conquering hero.
This is because the memory and mission of first-grade teacher Susan West is firmly tied to each piece of literature that bears the insignia.
Susan died of cancer on Feb. 1 earlier this year, but her memory lives on through the actions of her parents Bob and Dottie West.
They are doing everything in their power to carry on her most cherished work, helping kids to learn to read.
“That was her life, teaching those kids.” said Dottie. “Her kids were her family.”
In the months since her death, Bob said he has started distributing some of Susan’s many books, but because her love of teaching was so strong she had more than a few paperbacks lying around the house.         
“The first thing she did when she moved into her home was have a library done.” said Dottie. “She had a bookcase in every room.”
Having taught for more than 20 years, Susan accumulated thousands of books filled with stories just waiting to inspire another student.
“She had a book that would fit every kid in her class.” said Bob.
Now Bob and Dottie have been sorting through Susan’s library planning to put each book into shelves at area schools and public libraries.
So far they have made large donations to the Poland, Newport, and Middleville libraries and Ilion, Herkimer, and West Canada Valley school districts to name a few.
“The donations carry on Susan’s efforts to teach as many kids to read as possible,” said Bob.
“They’re wonderful books and in great condition...It’s a really good addition to the children’s library.” said Sue Anderson, director of Frank J. Basloe Library in Herkimer. “We don’t know how to say thank you enough.”
Anderson said the library is in the process of requisitioning a plaque to honor Susan. It will be displayed in the children’s room at the library. 
Sandra Zaffarano, manager of Middleville Free Library, said the Wests’ work makes a lot of books available to local kids that otherwise would have been out of reach. “We’re a very small library and we have a very small budget.”
The Middleville library is also planning a plaque.
Further demonstrating the impact of Susan’s life, the donations to Remington Elementary School in Ilion have enhanced the Accelerated Reader program, said Cyndy Bechard, librarian.
Bechard said the program encourages students to start their own collections by allowing them to “buy” books at a “store” set up in the school using points gathered by reading rather than money.
Susan’s library donations add new and duplicate titles that make it possible for even more to participate.
The groundwork has been set for a scene that took place every day in Susan’s classroom to continue  for years to come, and Dottie and Bob know that is exactly what their daughter wanted.
In Susan’s classroom at Herkimer Elementary School there was a reading loft that consisted of a ladder, some pillows and a lot of stuffed animals.
Students took turns in the loft reading books to a favorite stuffed friend, and Susan believed this was the best way for them to learn to read, said Dottie. Getting kids to fall in love with reading at a young age.
Susan spent the majority of her career in the first grade, with a brief stint in fifth grade, bringing her theory to life where she thought it was most necessary, said Dottie. “I swear, she was born a first grade teacher.”
Dottie and Bob received numerous success stories from former students, citing Susan’s approach to reading as a major turning point in their lives.
Thanks to the work of Susan, Bob, and Dottie West the number of Mohawk Valley kids that learn to read is only going to increase.
Somewhere a young reader is snuggled in their own little “reading loft” telling a story to a favorite stuffed animal, and Susan is right there with them.