We went into the library on Tuesday for the first time since March. Actually, going to the library was one of the last things we did before everything closed down! As I mentioned in a previous post, we have been able to request books online and pick them up at a window for the past few weeks, but the library opened back up for visitors on August 4. Since we were leaving for our camping trip the next day, we didn't make it in, but we didn't wait too long once we got back.
Eric has a special bond with the children's librarian, "Mrs. Shirley." Before he started school, we never missed a Thursday morning story time, and when Mrs. Shirley would get to the last book, Eric would always say, "One more story!" After the first couple of times, Mrs. Shirley came prepared—and always read one extra story at the end at Eric's request.
Prior to this, when Eric was even younger, Mrs. Shirley used to pick him up and hold him on her knee when he wandered up to the front (interrupting story time) when we were there with Alaina.
She has introduced our kids to several of their favorite stories, including Llama Llama Red Pajama and Owl Babies, and helped them develop a love for the library.
Mrs. Shirley has known all of our kids since they were really little—Alaina and Eric since they were born—and has always remembered their names, even many years after they've been too old for story time. She makes a point to talk with them and ask them about their activities every time they come into the library—and if we don't see her, another librarian will tell her that her little red-haired friend is there, and she'll come and find us :)
Anyway, we saw Mrs. Shirley at the library window a few weeks ago when we were picking up books we'd reserved. We hadn't seen her since the library closed, and it absolutely made Eric's day just to talk with her for a few minutes. As the conversation ended, Eric asked Mrs. Shirley if we could give her our phone number :) She told us that if we ever want to talk with her, we can send a message with her good friend Yvonne—our next door neighbor who also works at the library.
The next day, Eric wrote Mrs. Shirley a note and gave it to Yvonne across the gate between our backyards.
When we went into the library this week, we saw Mrs. Shirley, and she had a letter addressed to Mr. Eric (which is what she always calls him). She'd just given it to Yvonne but got it back so she could give it to Eric in person. She had made some colorful little fish out of rolled paper and stuck them on the card, probably remembering that Eric had a pet fish, and she wrote about how much she had enjoyed his letter.
What a kind, thoughtful lady!
And we're pretty happy to be browsing and borrowing books again, too :)
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