It’s definitely been an interesting week – the sad time with Rudy, and the utter highs of the start of the summer reading program.

The Ice Cream Social was on Wednesday, and that morning was absolutely insane.  It was pouring with rain at 10 and 11 AM, and many, many library patrons called the library to see if we were moving the Social to the rain date.  More times than I can remember, I had to kindly tell patrons that the weather forecast was indeed conducive to an outdoor afternoon event, that I was obsessively viewing the weather radar, and that it was going to be ok, really, it was.  I even sent out an email to all patrons who had pre-registered, and asked them to please pass the word on to their friends who might not have registered.

After a brief hiatus in the staff room to make some rain of my own after hearing about Rudy, I sat back at my desk and saw the rain move out and the clear skies move in.  By 12:30, things were obviously going to be fine, and it was time to get the ice cream and start to set up.

Jim and two of his buddies, Mark and Rich, were the band for the event, and they did a fabulous job.  Really awesome.  (I’m not just saying this because I’m married to Jim – they really were awesome.  One woman who attended with her kids came up to me to rave about the band, and her jaw nearly hit the grass when I told her it was my husband’s band.)

We had lots of volunteers helping with the event:  six teenagers and one adult, as well as the library page extraordinaire, Alyson.  This meant that I could schmooze rather than scoop ice cream, and it was so much fun.  I can’t count how many times grinning parents came up to me, shaking their heads, and saying “Wow, you’re good.  I thought you were crazy about the rain letting up, but you were SO right!  What a beautiful day!”

So it was a success, hugely fun for all, and the best summer kick-off the town has ever seen, thanks to the extensive grounds we have at the new site – plenty of room to run and play without danger of cars.  Roy took some great photos of the event, and if I get ambitious I’ll try to post one or two that don’t feature kids (for safety reasons, of course). 

Tomorrow’s post: the first movie night in the new building!