Where Do We Go From Here?

RPL employees have been summoned to a special staff meeting tomorrow. We will be apprised of the current budget situation and its ramifications for the staff. Speculation is running rampant; will there be talk of layoffs? Tomorrow's meeting is purely informative. No one knows what will unfold when the state finally passes a budget, but it's difficult to remain positive when the financial circumstances are so dire. I do not know how long my program will continue. I'd be upset, of course, to find myself unemployed in the foreseeable future, but what would upset me more is the thought of no longer visiting with my elderly patrons every two weeks. Several of them have expressed sincere remorse at possibly losing their mobile library, the personalized service, and my kind voice/smiling face (their words). These people have made my job so rewarding, professionally and personally. I make people so happy just by showing up and lending them books! Many of the patrons regard the Outreach program as a lifeline - something to look forward to, something that perpetuates the cognitive and emotional connections made in their minds and hearts. Knowing my program has made such an impact is both heartening and humbling for me. Until I'm told otherwise, I will be operating full "read" ahead. I've got new Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks, and Dan Brown novels to lend!