This is related to the chess club that is every Saturday 12 until 3 at this library, but players that come do not need to be part of the chess club. Both are open to all and both are free.

“You can go to the library and find the book that changes your life.”
—Ellen Schwartz

It was rainy, slushy and cold, though warm for a New England winter. The rubber soles of Joe’s sneakers kept the chill away, but not completely. He strode up Hope Street as quickly as he could without getting out of breath.

(Download PDF file, or click “read more” to continue reading the story…)

Ever since he lost his job, he’d found himself more and more lost. He’d never thought of himself as a guy who was defined by his work, but now that he was part of the unemployment system, he wasn’t so sure. It wasn’t the money, although that was part of it. It was the pride, or maybe the feeling of certainty. As long as he showed up for work, he knew that every two weeks he’d get a check. Now that certainty was gone, and instead, he was dependent on the whims of government funds and State employees.

Stomping his feet to kick off a bit of snow, Joe shook his head. He’d done everything right—gone to school, gotten a college degree, stayed clean off drugs (mostly), and done his job. He’d been on time, hard working and diligent. He hadn’t gossiped or played office politics. He put in extra hours when he’d had to, and didn’t cheat on the expense accounts.

Now he was out in the cold, along with the other twenty percent of the company that had been downsized after the out-of-state corporate takeover.

It wasn’t fair, but bellyaching about fairness didn’t help. His father had broken that news to him after Joe had lost his brand-new fishing rod the first time he’d hooked a bluefish and hadn’t been paying attention.

The rain began to pick up, and Joe felt the water running down his cheek like icy tears from above.

Ahead he saw the building and smiled. The Rochambeau Library was like his second home, and when he saw its distinctive stainless steel sign, old-fashioned old brick section and the boxy new wing, his heart began to lighten.

He walked up the wheelchair ramp, and tugged the door open in time to let an Orthodox Jewish woman with a headscarf and her three children (two in a double stroller) in ahead of him. She smiled a thanks, but didn’t say a word. He shrugged, and waited until she’d folded the stroller and gone up the elevator before shaking himself like a dog to get most of the water off.

Up the stairs, he opened the next door and felt the warm comfort begin to fill his being.

Where to begin?

He glanced to his left and saw that the computers were full. He glanced to his right and saw that the new books shelves were fairly bare. Funding problems everywhere.

A drink of water at the fountain, and then a warm washing of his face in the bathroom were both refreshing.

At the reference desk, he signed up for a computer terminal.

With thirty minutes to kill, he glanced around. It was like picking from a Cambodian restaurant menu – so many delicious choices. Manga in the young adults section? A paperback? Maybe a novel or a mystery?

He didn’t really know what he felt like. He didn’t really have a plan.

Instead, he closed his eyes, spun around twice (discretely so that he wouldn’t be making an obvious scene), stuck his index finger out, peeked his eyes and walked forward until his finger pressed against the spine of a book.

He closed his hand around the volume and tugged it loose from the stack.

No way!

Joe found himself laughing.

He spotted an open chair, dropped into it, opened the cover and began reading.

THE END

BIO: Mark Binder writes and tell stories. His latest collection is “It Ate My Sister.” More at his website: www.markbinder.com

Copyright 2009 by Mark Binder, All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

You can receive newsletters by email in the future. All you need to do is subscribe in the form on this page.

On Wednesday July 1^st from 3:00-5:30, we will be having a celebration at the Rochambeau Library. All of the branches throughout the city will be celebrating as well.

As a symbol of community spirit, each branch will be sending representatives to another branch to deliver a book and join in their celebration.

We would love to have you come and celebrate with us!

This Wednesday, July 1st  the day begins with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 when the library opens. At 3:00 there will be food, music, crafts and storytelling. There will also be great people and conversations. At 4:30 we will send off some of our Friends to deliver a book to the Wanskuk branch.

For years, The Friends of Rochambeau have worked hard to raise money to support our libraries and provide money for books, magazine subscriptions, museum memberships, musical performances and all kinds of activities that make our library an exciting part of our community.

Come celebrate with us!

 See you July 1st,

The Friends of Rochambeau

NEWS RELEASE

 Date: February 26, 2009

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Tonia Mason, 401-455-8090; 401-487-7104

 Mayor Opts Out of City/Library Agreement

Library Reviewing Options to Continue Services Moving Forward

PROVIDENCE, RI – In a disappointing development, the Providence Public Library (PPL) and the City administration have failed to achieve an agreement that outlines the process for ongoing funding and administering of City library services.  The agreement was negotiated by the Library and City administration last summer, and approved by the City Council in November, but never signed by the City.  Mayor Cicilline has now informed the Library that he wants a different process. 

Although the Library has been funding the cost of maintaining existing services this year as envisioned by the Council-approved agreement, and paying for a deficit projected to exceed $1 million out of the Library’s endowment, the Mayor’s failure to sign has resulted in the City withholding Master Lease money that was to flow to the Library to help pay the current fiscal year’s expenses.

In the absence of an agreement, many questions remain regarding the future relationship between the City and the Library.  The Providence Public Library now is reviewing its options and plans for administering Library service for the next Fiscal Year that begins in July.

“The focus for everyone involved needs to be on finding the best way to provide library service in the City,” said PPL Chairman William Simmons.  “We remain open to ongoing discussions on how to achieve that goal and have communicated to the Mayor our willingness to work with him and the City Council.”

The newly formed Providence Community Library has garnered some support from members of the public and City Council.  The Library has offered to work with the City to explore whether this may be a viable alternative for branch library service.

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