In the aftermath of recent storms, we experienced massive power outages in the area. There was still no electricity at my house on the Saturday morning following the first storm, and while I was getting ready for work, I wasn’t sure that I’d find the library habitable either. Happily, upon arrival, the library had heat, lights, and computers up and running. Other than a hair dryer, the library had everything I needed for the busy day ahead! As it turned out, I wasn’t the only one who was happy about that. The storm left a lot of people cut off from E-mail, Internet access, light by which to read, study, do homework, and a place to keep warm. We even noticed one or two people recharging their cell phones! Saturdays are almost always busy at the library, but that Saturday the building was jam-packed with customers from the second we opened until the five o’clock closing gong sounded.

It made me happy that to know that the library provided refuge for so many people stranded without power on that dark, cold, rainy day. But come to think of it, the library is a sanctuary of sorts every day - a special place where people of all ages with a wide range of interests and needs gather, research, learn, become inspired, and delight in its many amenities and treasures.