"Unless our conception of patriotism is progressive, it cannot hope to
embody the real affection and
the real interest of the nation."
- Jane Addams, Nobel Peace Prize winner 1931,
early twentieth century American pioneering
feminist social worker and internationalist. |
Dear ,
I get verklempt just thinking about it!
Over 150 Neighbors Watch
History Happen Together
On Inauguration day, our Albany neighbors gleefully filed into the library about 10:30 as the staff hurried to keep ahead of the demand for chairs. While the big screen in the auditorium grew slower and slower as the bandwidth was challenged, several attendees decided to watch the 19 inch with rabbit ears set up in the main part of the library.
The crowd enjoyed coffee and cookies as they anxiously awaited the swearing in ceremony. The attendees ranged in age from 2 years old to 90 somethings and each seemed to hold their breath until the noon deadline.
 Tissue boxes passed through the crowd as the tears flowed the moment Barack Obama came within range of the cameras and didn't stop until well after the inaugural speech. While most libraries are normally known as quiet places, APL is not the quietest of libraries, except for today. For about an hour, a pin could have dropped and everyone would have heard it.
The inauguration was topped off with "dancing in the streets" when the Friends of APL presented a jazz dance program in the main auditorium.
Cordially,
Elissa Kane
on behalf of the Albany Public Library |
