My Current View

#library #books #enrichment #computers #poetry #insightful

The sign says read. But I’m the only person reading. There are wall to wall books. There is an abundance of natural light and comfy chairs. But no readers. In every nook and cranny of this building, people are engaging in a variety of activities that don’t involve the written word.

Directly in front of me, in a red and gold striped wing back chair, is a young man gazing lazily into the screen of his laptop. He periodically laughs but never looks up. I can only assume he’s looking at memes. He has black hair, multiple facial piercings, some of which look random…almost as if he drove his mother’s sewing needle through his face on a dare. The ring in his nose is connected by a rusty chain to one of the many rings in his ear. His clothes are black and baggy. Maybe because he weighs 100 pounds on a full stomach or maybe he buys them baggy on purpose. Either way, his ACDC Back in Black t-shirt is testament that young people still recognize good music. His laugh is almost infectious. I’m glad he’s here.

In a distant corner, at one of the many public chess/checker boards sits a father son duo. The father is teaching his young son how to play checkers. Jump, double jump, king me. The son is attentive to his fathers every move, not just on the checkerboard. “How’s your mom and her new boyfriend?” I hear the father ask. This must be his weekend to have his son, like so millions of other fathers that only get to see their children 4 precious days a month. I watch in heartbreak but also in admiration as this man makes the most of the time he has with his son. He doesn’t know the impact he’s having with a simple game of checkers. This little boy will never forget these Friday evenings spent double jumping plastic red and black circles with his dad.

Behind me is two long rows of computers. Every computer is occupied. Mostly with people checking their social media accounts. There are a few wearing headphones and staring intently into the screen. That screams ‘gamer’ to me. I’ve seen enough online gaming in my life to recognize that glassy-eyed focused stare. These teenagers could be out vandalizing empty buildings with spray paint. They could be out cat burgling homes. They could be in the bathroom of Taco Bell shooting heroine into their veins. They are not. They are here and they are safe. They are connecting with people all across the world, playing a game. Is it life changing? Probably not. Is it life enriching? Absolutely. I’m glad they’re here.

There is one young lady that stands out to me. She has a toddler sitting next to her in an orange, plastic chair and a baby in her lap. She is filling out job applications. I listen as she calls people on her flip phone and asks, “can I put you down for a reference?” I say a quiet prayer that God will bless her with a job soon. By the worried look on her face, she needs the job to be sooner than soon. I hear her ask the lady at the desk about local food banks. And then I witness something magical. The lady at the desk asks the young mother to wait a moment while she compiles a list of available resources. I see the librarian in the next room, talking with her coworkers. The toddler squirms. She’s tired and probably hungry. The mother tries to sooth her. When the worker reappears, she has a paper in her hand and is kindly explaining the locations of multiple churches that may be able to help with food. And then, very quietly, unbeknownst to everyone in the room but me, the lady slips a wad of cash into the young mother’s hand. The mother tries to refuse but the lady whispers, “we all chipped in, we want you to have it.” The young, defeated mother takes the money with tears streaming down her face. Keep your head up momma. It’ll all turn out ok.

This is the library. And nobody is reading. Not even me. I have a book in front of my face but I’ve gotten caught up in the wonderful world of humanity happening around me. This is a place where people can come and read. Come and connect. Come and game. Come and think. Come and get a job. Come and laugh. Come and be quiet. Come and learn. Come and listen. Be brave. Be kind. Be free.