Georgetown Library Will Rebound

Monday, which started as a normal day of doing reports, working with staff members and greeting customers at the Georgetown public library, soon became a surreal experience.

At about 12:30 p.m. two staff members just coming to work, Colleen Semitekol and Michael Rosser, ran into the building, saying that the roof was on fire and that everyone should get out. Once that notion sank in, everyone quickly mobilized, ensuring that the building was evacuated and that phone calls were made to 911 and to the D.C. Public Library Security Office. Library staff members were awesome. They did exactly what was expected of them without question or hesitation. Nikita Campbell and Kendra Penny inspected the second floor to make sure everybody was out safely. Brian Clark, our custodian, helped a staff member who is recovering from knee-replacement surgery get out quickly.

While still trying to reach 911, I heard sirens screaming up Wisconsin Avenue. It was reassuring to know that someone had been able to contact the fire department and that help was on the way.

Before I could get out of the building, firefighters were at the door, pulling hoses in. As we stood across the street and watched flames pierce the roof of the library, nearby residents came together to support us and help in any way they could. Family and friends were frantically calling us on our cellphones to make sure that news reports were accurate: no injuries and no fatalities.

Standing there, I was in disbelief. I had been devastated to hear when I woke up that day that Eastern Market, one of my favorite places in Washington, had been damaged by fire. Now my place of employment was burning. As important as the building is to all of us and to the city and as hard as it was to think about the collection, the equipment and the personal effects we had left inside the library, my overriding concern was the safety of the library's patrons and staff members. I cannot tell you how I would have felt had they not made it out okay.

And the children. It was heartbreaking to see the tearful expressions of awe and concern on the faces of our smallest patrons, those preschoolers who regularly come to the library to enjoy lap time, toddler time and story time. Just last Saturday, more than 50 children and their parents joined Leigh Fox -- Miss Leigh to them -- for Fairy Tea Time to celebrate spring. Adults who had used this 72-year-old library repeatedly over the decades, or perhaps just a few times, were overwhelmed. Students from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory, Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Washington International School all passed by to find out for themselves whether the fire was fact or fiction.

None of us knew as we arrived at work that morning that it would be the last day for us at this wonderful library for who knows how long. All I do know is that Georgetown public library will be back. We will return, and we will be eternally grateful for all the concern and good wishes we have received. Thank you, Georgetown, for the memories we share, for all you have done for us, for the pleasure you have brought and especially for the support you have shown during these extremely difficult hours.

-- Mary N. Hernández

Washington

The writer is the branch manager at the Georgetown public library. Her e-mail address is mary.hernandez@dc.gov.