My sister used to work at a public library in Virginia. On snow days schools would close, but the libraries would stay open. She said she felt like she and her coworkers became the city's babysitters. The place would be flooded with kids from open until close, and most of the kids would have no food with them. By the end of a snow day, the place would be a wreck from cranky, hungry, restless children.
This is what immediately came to mind when a friend posted on Facebook last night that while the schools would be closed in Ferguson today, the library would be open.
My friend, a teacher herself, was passing along a brilliant idea. Let's support the people of Ferguson, and the librarians who are likely lifting WAAAAAAAYYYYYY more than their share today. Let's stand together for access to information, for learning, for peaceful spaces and for the good people who guard those spaces and rights. Let's let them know they are appreciated.
Give to the Ferguson Memorial Library
Forgive the short diary. I don't have a lot of time today, but I know that many, like me, are looking for a way to contribute, so that maybe we can ease the hurt a little.
Wed Nov 26, 2014 at 10:58 AM PT: According to buzzfeed, the library, thanks to fundraising posts and tweets on Twitter and facebook from Reading Rainbow and Neil Gaiman, raised donations in the range of five figures! They will be able to hire a children's librarian, update their collection, and improve their infrastructure! Hooray!