We spent a few hours at the library on closing day. Partly as a way to say goodbye for ourselves, and partly to keep the library staff company. Even a library shouldn’t be alone as it dies… and those staying til the end should have company and chocolate.
There was one final children’s program scheduled for that afternoon. A lady from Spring Creek Fish Hatchery came and read Salmon Stream, then helped the children make gyotaku, a traditional form of Japanese fish printing. (Using rubber fish on art paper, rather than “real live dead fish” on rice paper, as one preschooler explained to our amusement.)
My older boys weren’t into storytime and fish printing – too many preschoolers around to make them feel old – but they played chess on the built-in chessboard that they never have enough time for, and flipped through a Guinness records book. The rest of us, we just hung out, chatted, and enjoyed being there.
What now? We’re not entirely sure. There are hopes to put it on the ballot again this fall, with a different tax rate – but not a lot of optimism that it will pass.
So for now – books are locked up, librarians are in exile, and only time will tell what happens next.
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What a bitter sweet day that must have been. I am so thankful for public libraries and the people who staff them. We’re rarely read any new books if we couldn’t use the library.