My Sisters Farmhouse

While working as a children’s librarian in Manhattan, KANSAS I received a phone call from a patron. The connection was full of static, but I could understand the caller pretty well. She wanted to know when she could bring her child to story time. I gave her the information and then she asked me where the nearest branch library might be.

“There is only one library.” I replied

“I mean branch libraries.” She repeated

“We only have one library in town.” I reassured her.

“Is this the public library?” She asked

“Yes.” I replied

“I live on the upper east side.” she repeated, “what is the closest library to me?”

“Well “ I said, “We are located just downtown on Poyntz and Juliette.

“Where is that?” She asked.

“You know where the beauty school is?”

“No,” she replied.

“Well, we are located kitty corner from the city park… You know the large statue of Johnny Kaw holding the axe?”

She was silent so I continued my directions.

“We are right between two banks across the street from the old movie theater that has been turned into a restaurant. You can’t miss us.”

“What about the sixty seventh street library?” she asked, “I pass it every day on my way to work.”

“Perhaps it is a university library you are thinking of” I replied, referring to the state college which has a large library in Manhattan.

“There is only one public library in Manhattan?” She asked again.

“Yes” I stated, looking at my co-workers for support. By this time they were listening to the call as well as a few patrons.

“Thank you.” The woman said and hung up.

“We don’t have any branch libraries do we?” I asked my co-workers as I cradled the phone.

“No.” They replied

“That woman sounded so certain and where the heck is the upper east side?” I asked.

The two other librarians looked at me and one said, “You don’t suppose she was calling from New York?”

Well I guarantee you the lights clicked on pretty quick as I recounted the phone call to my fellow librarians in Manhattan, Kansas, how I had just convinced a New Yorker that Manhattan has only one public library.