This past Tuesday I returned books to the library (and paid a late fine, of course!) and I mentioned to them that I wanted to leave with a clean balance since I was headed to Kentucky for a job, following my 11-month layoff. The person at the desk, Jay, told me that the BPL was preparing to lay off all those workers with less than 10 years of service at the end of the month. Jay has been at the library for nine years. This is almost too cruel, but the story does not end there. He went on to tell me practically everyone working the desk would be laid off. I looked at his colleague at the other end of the counter, Wayne, who looked at me and nodded in grim, sad agreement. We instantly shared a kinship that few working people can appreciate. I am just coming out of my lay off, one of the worst and most difficult moments of my life; they are about to enter a very trying and frustrating time. These are good people and it bothers me that they have to suffer this. I shared with them my routine for dealing with the layoff --they enjoyed hearing about my use of the punching bag and when I told them I imagined someone's face on it, they laughed. I really hope these guys make it back on their feet.
The sad thing is, the president of the library makes $175,000 a year. I have a suggestion: why doesn't he take a pay cut as a contribution toward preventing people from losing their jobs?
Here's to you, Jay and Wayne.
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