We have been working on dealing with the tradgedy on a team level. The loss of our library has effected us all differently, but together we are stronger. We talk about all the difficulties, but we also talk about the triumphs. Everyone got out safe, all those fire drills we did paid off. Now we will have an opportunity to rebuild a better, more modern, more technologically oriented library. Focusing on all these positives have helped us. Talking with the people of our community as much as possible has also helped. They feel the loss too.
Our focus the past few days has been keeping as many lines of communication open as possible. Our big event this week was the Claremont Carnival on Thursday. We had staff dressed up and marching in the parade and a good time was had by all. We had a street front booth organized through collaboration with the fantastic ladies of the Claremont Museum. They have been a great help to us this week.
Our booth was a fantastic chance to meet up with a few of our readers who were greatly affected the loss of the library. Many people wrote down touching tributes and comments. We distributed flyers and bookmarks with information about the 'Claremont Library Without Walls'.
The Big Guy in the Red Suit took some time out of his busy schedule to attend the claremont parade. Our of our library ladies rode in the sleigh as 'Santa's Helper'.
Saturday from 10 to 12 the council had a 'Morning Tea in the Park' for the community. Information about the rebuild and recovery of the entire Town of Claremont facilities was discussed. All of our library staff were in attendance and we were happy to meet up and chat with many of our borrowers, all whom are greatly feeling the loss of the library. Everyone was so supportive and very curious about what will happen next.
Today the council is setting up a kiosk in the Claremont Quarter to answer questions and provide basic customer service. The kiosk will be downstairs by the sunglasses hut. A library staff member will be at the booth from 11 to 2pm today. Don't worry if you miss us though. The kiosk will still be there for the next few days.
We have had a lot of generous offers of donations. As far as book donations go, please keep them for now as we have no place to put them. We will be working on a solution to this and will get back to you.
This week we will be working from the Grove Library. They have set aside a space for us and made us very welcome. We enjoyed meeting all the staff members there and look forward to working with them. The next step is to shape our vision for the future of the Claremont Library. Looks like next week will be full of brainstorming. Right now, everything is still in the beginning stages and we have no concrete answers on where we're going next, but we will update when we have more news.
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