People In The Neighborhood

DISCLAIMER: These characters are all FICITIONAL, any similarities to any persons living or dead is purely the author’s imagination.

In a recent article in the New York Times, about libraries across the country, this one particular statement, stood out:

…working with anxious and often depressed patrons who say they have nowhere else to go.

Let’s explore this statement.

I have heard about a particular public library, located in any city, USA, where many of the same patrons visit daily and who, like the article states, have nowhere else to go. Here at Tremont, we may have one or two.

There’s Mr. Sera, a regular, he‘s at the door by 9:30 A.m. (Most branches opens at 10) everyday, faithfully. I hear he goes to the branch which is open on Sunday.

Mr. Sera is a tall Hispanic man, who does not lift his feet when he walks, so he shuffles along. He’s also talks really fast, and often times he over shares, (i.e. “I missed my medication this morning, that’s why I’m sweating.”)

He comes in mostly to use the computer, and to peruse the travel guides to Chicago. Apparently he has met a woman on line from Chicago. He says he has planned a trip and will be going soon, that was 6 months ago.

Mr. Sera is almost a volunteer employee. He’s very knowledgeable about the computers, no surprise there, and sometimes staff members use him as a Spanish translator. He also plays chess every Thursday, and has volunteered to assist with the Adult Chess club.

Mr. Sera is mostly pleasant, and overall not a problem patron, if they could all be like him.

to be cotinued.....