Learn, Live, Love

Last week I had the opportunity to work at the library while Siobhan Koch, the Norwood Library Director was at a meeting. As I addressed the tasks at hand, I was overcome by the beauty of the library. It is a place of  knowledge, organized alphabetically. As I was gathering books requested by patrons from other BCCLS libraries (Bergen County Cooperative Library System – 75 Public Libraries in New Jersey’s Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic Counties) – I was amazed at the diversity of materials I was asked to find. From biographies and grief counseling to a new TV series and biblical stories were some of the items that had been requested from libraries as far away as Nutley and Teaneck. In this, I experienced the true beauty of how a cooperative functions: the collective power of many.

As I continued organizing and reshelving, I witnessed a few more joys. Teenagers were at the front door the second the library opened, waiting to come in and read. Patrons graciously thanked Riti, our amazing librarian for helping them find the materials they needed. High school students were there volunteering their summer hours working at the library. A patron came in to check his emails on the computer. A mom and toddler were enjoying the picture books in the children’s section.

All I could think was that our library was a thriving, giving, integral community center for Norwood. Then I thought: In my next life, I’d love to work at the library. It is a place of peace.

Sally Diaz