Dear Friends,

 

The snows of late February hit hard in the District. Library staff were happy to assist when the Library could open. Unlike many of our neighbors, the Library didn't lose power. People who lost cable television came in to borrow movies. Many people came in to send important faxes, or photocopy essential documents. Some neighborhood kids came in to get warm because they had no heat at home. One grateful woman used our Internet connection to complete an online licensing test that was being given only on that day! Another, without phone or Internet at home was able to confirm her international flight and reach her family in South America. Some of those who lost power included staff who like many people had to evacuate the area to find accomodations. Library staff were proud to be in a postition to help the public in both small and important ways. The silver lining in all this adversity is that I will have fresh stories about the importance of libraries in the community to relate to legislators on Lobby Day in Albany.