WE'RE CLOSING FOR THANKSGIVING

     I'm ashamed to say that I'm sitting here listening to Christmas music...but I am.  Ashamed because it's not even Thanksgiving Day yet.
     Once again I need to tell you that we will be closed for Thanksgiving.  Sometimes I think we are closed for too many days - the 21st through the 24th, reopening on the 26th - but I understand it also helps with the budget constraints of a public library.  And I do understand that it gives those staff members who are traveling out of town more time to be safe in their traveling. 
     It does make me wonder, however, about all those people who use the library every day, for whatever reason.  Makes me wonder what they do when we are closed, where they go, and, really, if they are all right.  Many come to use our computers because they have none themselves.  How do they continue to job search, do online class homework, check with family and friends by email?  Many come to get in out of the weather, sit on our couches and read and sometimes take a little nap.  Nevertheless, I wonder what everyone does when they aren't able to come to the library.
     Today as I sit here, listening to the Christmas music, I'm thoughtful about Thanksgiving and thinking what I'm thankful for.
     One thing that comes to mind is being thankful for Johnnie, who makes morning coffee almost every day for those of us who work here.  So, thank you, Johnnie, for that necessary morning brew.
     Another thing I'm thankful for is Holly, our director, who I know is working hard to make sure our library continues to move forward and provide the best service we can to all those who walk through our doors.  We've been told that this old building will be getting a new chiller and new roof during the next few months, thanks to the help of our County and State officials.  We are definitely thankful for that assistance.
     And I have to say I'm thankful for my office partner, Aileen, who works so hard to keep our large group of computers doing the right things.  That has to be a strain-and-a-half.   Plus she is contantly finding interesting events for the library to hold...like the upcoming January 2013 community health fair.  Plus, she's become a very best friend.  Can't ask for more in a two-person office.
     I'm also thankful for all the people I work with here at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library.  I've been here about nine years now, working in various capacities, and everyone here is absolutely the best of the best to work with.  Occasionally we lose one...to retirement or another position somewhere...but not often.  We have a few here who we could call "old timers," but who aren't old.  It's just that once you start working here, you realize what a great place it is and you stay.
     There are many more things I am thankful for at our library, but I won't take the space to list them all.
     I do have to say that I'm thankful for all of you who read this homely, little blog.  It's not fancy with pictures, colorful with design, or elegant with words.  It's just a little thing I do because I was asked to do it, and I've truly enjoyed it.  However, I'm sure if I could find the right person here at the library, it would take on a different kind of life.  But for the meantime, I'm thankful I'm allowed to write it and share our library's information with you.
     So, take a few minutes somewhere around Thanksgiving Day and think about what you're thankful for.  It might surprise you what you come up with.