Things are bad in this world right now. They are especially bad in the United States, and also especially bad for all the other countries in the world. No, this isn’t news, but it seems to me we are reaching new heights (lows?) of chaos and danger and villainy.
As an American, I’m heartsick and furious and grim and ready to do what I can, even though I don’t know what all of that entails. It will no doubt involve voting, organizing, joining, donating, protesting, writing, talking, and standing up in every way I can think of. As I said, it’s grim but necessary.
But yesterday, I did something that made things a lot better. I went to the brand-new library in my town (Belmont, Massachusetts). The grand opening was this past weekend, and I went for the first time on Tuesday. It is beautiful and warm and welcoming and filled with happy people, most of them kids.
I didn’t take any photos of my own, so here are some from my local newspaper about the grand opening.
I went to take in the loveliness of the space, but also to drop off and pick up a library book. When I asked a librarian where to go, he insisted on taking me there himself. But not before chatting a bit, and once he knew I was a humanities professor, showing me his favorite translation of Bocaccio’s The Decameron. I thought about telling him this wasn’t my area of expertise, but I didn’t want to spoil the fun. So I didn’t.
Next Monday I’m back at the library for their Belmont Against Racism book club meeting, where we will be discussing The Last White Man, by Mohsin Hamid.
What I’m saying here is: if you’re feeling down and out, that life has gotten too horrible, go to a library. There will be a lot of good things going on there and good people to talk to and good books to read. I bet you’ll leave feeling a little better and maybe somewhat fortified for handling life beyond the stacks. I know I did and I do.
Hey readers, do you have any stories to share about your libraries? We would all love to hear how people are helping out and being helped out by their communities.
