First, congratulations to Bishop Don Hying for his ordination. Working at the Salzmann Library has its perks, and I was able to go to the ordination; it was an amazing, blessed time. So all the best to Bishop Hying, he is going to do a great job.
Today I actually post a poem that I read over the past week. No, I don’t usually read poetry. I did not find it on my own; I give full credit for that to Anne Bender, a great friend and frequent patron of the library. So without much more ado, here it is, entitled “Librarian” by A Page, C.S.C., otherwise known as Fr. Gerald Michael Fitzgerald.
What is it to be
a “Librarian?”
I think I know though
I never sat
like you at a desk piled high
with books-books that
somehow are always
coming and going
(and sometimes so fast
one would think it was snowing!)
books before you
and books behind–
and faces, faces
of every kind–
faces that lift
with questioning eyes-
and pucker at answers
with glad surprise.
You read these books
–the human kind–
that come and stand
at your desk in line–
and try your patience
and take your time–
and whether the book
be old and soiled,
dog-eared and ragged and fit to burn–
or whether the covers/ be still unspoiled,
the edges clean/ and the pages yet
waiting for angel-hands to turn–
you care for them–
patiently,
and tender of touch–
remembering
Someone
Who loves them much:
and knowing the Author
would wish you to
and reading His smile
(as you sometimes do)
from the open page of
a child’s white face–
or the snow-writ brow
of a man-in-grace,
somehow,
it strengthens your weary hand
and your tired heart
to understand–
this greater part
that is yours to play
And that is why
you strive to sit
patient and smiling until at last
the doors are closed and the clock abashed
strikes out its message–
cease-peace, cease-peace.
And that is why
(if I may guess)
as you hasten home
down the darkened street
through the heat of summer or winter-sleet,
you pray,
that all these books,
which you have read, be found–
someday–
properly labeled, cleaned and bound,
and ready to be placed away–
on their proper shelf
and at least as far
as one soul can–
you give yourself
to this deeper plan
of which God’s Son
is Librarian.
As always, if you have any ideas and comments for things I could change, please let me know. These are always appreciated, anything I can do to make this better I will strive my best to accomplish.
Here is some of the basic information about the library:
- Our standard hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Our address is 3257 S. Lake Dr. St. Francis, WI 53235, right next to Henni Hall, due west of the South Parking Lot.
- The library’s phone number is (414) 747-6479. If you would like to contact me through email, it is mschrauth@sfs.edu.
- There is free Wi-Fi available.
So, come in and check us out – everybody is welcome.
