Thanksgiving Eve Tradition: College Kids Flock to Their Hometown Dive Library
Library Prepares for Busiest Evening of the Year
Extended hours. Extra staff. More displays. This is how one library in Traverse City, MI prepares for the onslaught of college kids, out of towners, and infrequent patrons on Thanksgiving Eve.
"Just wait until we open up the Makerspace," said one library staff member. "This place is going to be fucking nuts."
Around the nation, local libraries are getting ready for what is called "the perfect storm:" everyone from town is back home visiting their parents or extended family but still need to cram for the exam when they return to campus or get some books not offered at their overwhelmed university library.
Add other reasons for bigger than typical library traffic--people not wanting to read the same-old books they have at home, book talks from local authors, special circulation adjustments (new DVDS usually guarded, can be kept over the long holiday weekend)--and "Black Wednesday" understandably became a hometown phenomenon.
Also, patrons in that younger demographic want to reconvene with their high school friends and study buddies for some polite, pre-holiday fun. The tradition of night-before Thanksgiving festivities has subsequently taken off, and the Traverse City Free Library will also offer a full day of programming that will extend into the wee-late hours of 8pm.
"Just wait until we open up the Makerspace," said one library staff member. "This place is going to be fucking nuts."
"We'll set up extra self-checkout kiosks all over this place for the extra traffic," said library director Edna Wershing. "Over here we'll have a bunch of art history and philosophy displays for easy grab and go."
Traverse City's busy day caps off with a performance by a local singer-songwriter, who will play acoustic guitar starting at 6:30pm.
"We are usually closed at 7pm, no exceptions. But this evening is different," she said, a little worried. "I hope we can still maintain a decent level of volume and try to respect that most of this is publically funded property."
Wershing's concern stems from a few years ago, when an argument broke out in the Public Room, where board games were set up. Apparently, someone was caught cheating during Mancala.
"There was a lot of bad noise, but luckily, our volunteer security guard was able to step in without too much incident."
She looked at the window sill and showed a deep level of concern. "But I do hope the plants and other succulents survive the 3pm Zumba class we have scheduled in the main lobby."