La Primavera

La Primavera
I am longing for spring. Looking out my kitchen window this cold Saturday morning I can feel the earth starting to rouse; sense the opening refrains to the ancient vernal symphony in the activity at the birdfeeders, the greening of the grass, and the slender stalks of the daffodils defying the recent snow squalls. Oh yes, spring is coming.

The artist Botticelli beautifully heralded the arrival of spring in the Renaissance painting La Primavera. Until I actually stood before the painting I never comprehended the grand scale of the canvas, the exquisite tapestry of small flora on the forest floor of the painting, or noticed that each of the female figures is with child.

As I grow older, passing through the seasons of my own life, I am more keenly aware of the enormous work of birth and new life; regardless of whether you are a bird, a bear, or a human being. Spring makes me appreciate anew the tremendous energy that is required to physically bear offspring, create a safe shelter, and care day in, and day out, for the relentless needs of the young; spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

This month, in the spirit of resurrection, renaissance and spring; the library staff and the community are banding together to re-create the Greenbrier Library. No additional funding for renovation projects is available during these lean times, but the work needs to be done; so we are rolling up our collective sleeves, wading in, and making do. Staff and volunteers have already begun ripping down the peeling wallpaper and cleaning out the debris of two decades. The Sheriff and Public Works has graciously loaned us a hardworking crew of trustees and a good hearted supervising deputy to help library staff paint and move several tons of steel shelving, collections, and furnishings.

In the theme of La Primavera, the Greenbrier Library makeover will be our first “green” project. The “new” shelving and fixtures are being recycled from the Walden Books that recently closed at the Greenbrier Mall and the Dillard store that closed at Chesapeake Square Mall. We are also doing some creative re-adaptation of old existing fixtures. The “new” carpet is recycled fibers and tiles from warehouse remainders from a large commercial project. Shelving and furniture no longer needed by the Library is being re-purposed by the Chesapeake Public School System.

The Greenbrier project is also about rethinking how we provide customer services. We will reopen with a single new adult service desk downstairs to conserve our most precious resource - our staff. Staff will be scheduled to “rove” the building to help patrons as needed. We will feature a new collection layout designed to maximize the natural light, and the views to the golf course, from the wide curving plate glass windows on the rear of the building. The use of light and color, signage produced by library staff, and a new floor plan, will all encourage library patrons to enjoy the collections featured on the new recycled display shelving. All of the computers and tables will be grouped with reference services on the second floor for work and quiet study.

We are planning to open the doors on Monday, March 22nd. So do plan to come and visit! However, you may not see me, because I am hoping to complete this project on schedule, and then perhaps, perchance, to steal away for a day or two and revel in the wonders of spring.

“The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till he had dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all over his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms. Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing. It was small wonder, then, that he suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said ‘Bother!’ and ‘O blow!’ and also ‘Hang spring-cleaning!’ and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat.


(The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham, Chapter 1, “The Riverbank”)