25 January

The Library Tour: Scoville Library, Salisbury, Conn.

by Jon Katz
The Scoville Libary, first funded library in America

It warmed up a bit in Connecticut today, up to 20 degrees and I felt like running around in shorts. Had a great reception at the Scoville Library. Got a tour of this beautiful building, a meal in a gorgeous private room, and a full house of people who love libraries and asking great questions. We talked about how dogs think, the rescue culture, grieving for dogs. I was sorry to cancel a talk at the Richboro, Pa., Library, for which 100 people had signed up, but I will get back there in the Spring, and explore Wyeth country.

Tomorrow, Maria and I will race the Northeaster to Providence, where I will be talking at the Rochambeau Branch of the Providence Public Library (Hope Street) at 7 p.m. Thursday. On Friday, the Osterville, Mass., Library, 2 p.m., and then, 7 p.m., the Scituate Town Library, Scituate, Mass. On Saturday, a talk at the Edgartown Library in Martha’s Vineyard (2 p.m.) I’ve had three great library visits – Granville, Cobleskill, Scoville. I’m lucky to be doing it. Libraries everywhere are struggling. They need attention.

We sold more notecards to benefit family farms, Maria is sketching the libraries. Up early to head for Providence, the first time I’ve returned to my hometown in decades. I’ll brush with some memories. And see my books on the shelve of the library where I first became a writer.

25 January

Decisions: The Arctic Library Tour

by Jon Katz
Decisions

The Toyota, in Stanford, N.Y.

We stopped with friends on a mountaintop outside of Cobleskill, N.Y., which was a great evening for me and this library. Have some decsions to make. We are heading for Scoville Library in Salisbury, Conn., and then a messy Northeaster is grinding up the coast and I am trying to figure out how far I can get. Looks like Wednesday and Thursday will be messy days and Wednesday is the RIchboro, Pa. library.  Rain, sleet and some snow. So later today I’ll check the latest forecasts and make the best decision. Looks clear for Providence, Osterville, Scituate, and Martha’s Vineyard.

Now, the forecast for Pa. calls for several days of sleet, snow and rain. I might try to get to Pa, or dash to Providence. Friday and Saturday should be clear. Won’t know for a few hours. This morning, I woke up and felt like Jonathan Harker outside of Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania. Bleak and gloomy. We are heading out

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