Ferguson Library Pledges to Remain Open ‘as Long as It Is Safe’
While most buildings and all schools in Ferguson have closed in anticipation of rioting, the Ferguson Public Library has dedicated itself to staying open for children.
“Because of the Grand Jury decision, many organizations will be closed, but the Ferguson Municipal Public Library will stay open as long as it is safe for patrons and staff. If the Ferguson-Florissant schools close, we will be hosting activities for the children,” they posted on Facebook. “We will do everything in our power to serve our community. Stay strong and love each other.”
According to them, they may be one of the few children’s organizations open during that time:
Many other orgs closing. But we will stay open to serve people of #Ferguson as long as safe for patrons & staff, up to 8p. Love each other.
— Ferguson Library (@fergusonlibrary) November 24, 2014
Speaking to Newsweek, library director Scott Bonner said that the library was fairly crowded, with “our usual crowd plus a whole lot of volunteers and quite a few students.” He also learned that, due to social media, hundreds of people began donating to the library and their book wishlist.
“We’ve had stunning donations, just an amazingly generous inflow of donations. When I checked less than half an hour ago, more than 1,200 people had donated, all in small amounts — clearly what they could,” he said. “Every dollar of that is going to go towards serving the community one way or another.”
[Newsweek]
[Image via Facebook/Ferguson Municipal Public Library]
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