<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[A Life in Libraries]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://cherylbecker.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[cbecker53]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://cherylbecker.wordpress.com/author/cbecker53/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Praise for Newtown Public&nbsp;Library]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>My Sunday post was really just a <a title="A Moment of Silence for Newtown" href="https://cherylbecker.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/a-moment-of-silence-for-newtown/" target="_blank">moment of silence</a> for Newtown, with a brief mention of what public libraries might do to offer assistance to those trying to cope with the tragedy.</p>
<p>Today I am in awe of the <a title="No one untouched" href="http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Librarian-No-one-is-untouched-by-this-tragedy-4121081.php" target="_blank">response</a> of the one public library that is truly on the ground in this instance, the Cyrenius H. Booth Library on Main Street in Newtown, CT.</p>
<p>From the article:</p>
<blockquote><p>. . . as the community grapples with how to begin to understand and grieve, the library is also trying to become a place where children can find some peace and a chance to be themselves for a bit in an otherwise upside down world.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re thinking that parents can bring their children here, just as a diversion and to get them out of the house,&#8221; [Janet] Woycik [library director] said.</p>
<p>[The library] didn&#8217;t want to publicize the details of what the library will set up for children this week.</p>
<p>&#8220;We need a place where children can come, and not be bothered by reporters and people seeking information. Just a neutral place they can come where they can feel normal in an abnormal situation.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Thank you, Cyrenius H. Booth Library.  I&#8217;m sure Newtown thanks you too.  I am so sorry for your loss.</p>
<div style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19346234@N00/263070945" target="_blank"><img class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" title="Rainbow" alt="Rainbow" src="https://i0.wp.com/farm1.static.flickr.com/98/263070945_3677c12516_m.jpg" width="240" height="181" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Rainbow (Photo credit: homer4k)</p></div>
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