Be the Bridge

On Friday, when I was in our northernmost library I saw terrific customer service -- and an example of the library being the bridge over the technology divide.

A man came in who needed his time sheet FAXed to his employer. The FAX machine was broken at his customary workforce center and he came to the library. Incidentally, the library deserves another attaboy for having positioned itself as a go-to place.

The Branch Manager told the man that the charge for sending FAXes was $2. The man said he didn't have $2, and could not cash a check, since he didn't have an account in town. Watching from a short distance away, I could see the desperation in his face and body language. Since Friday was my pay-date, I could identify with how important it was for him to be paid. In truth, I'll bet his immediate need for a pay-check probably was more acute than mine.

The Branch Manager did what I see as the right thing -- she treated him with respect, offered assistance, and sent the FAX and told him to pay her when he could. Wow! Congrats, MB. I'm proud of you and our libraries!

Minnesota history made today

8-1-07 -- the date the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis went down. I can't remember the last time I drove across the bridge, but I'll sure remember the day it fell. I'm praying for everyone, and wondering if friends or family were on the bridge when it went down.

It's been over 4 hours, and except for a short outing with my dog Lucky, who doesn't let me miss our evening walk, I haven't strayed far from the TV. Recently we've had news conferences and everyone has been saying "check our website" -- for emergency information, for traffic routes to get downtown now that a major route has disappeared, for victim contact information. It strikes me that this is yet another example of the Digital Divide between those of us who have computers and Internet accounts and those who don't.

Offered websites:
KARE-11
City of Minneapolis Website
WCCO