Storytime at a local library seems like a great idea, right? Nana is here so why not give it a try while I have an extra set of hands? Toddler time is at a nearby branch that we need to drive to, unfortunately not our walkable branch. So we go, we drive to the library. We arrive - things are going okay. We load two girls into the twin stroller and carry one in the ergo. We reach the entrance...steps, only steps. We see a side door that appears to be a handicap entrance 'lift.' We get into the open air lift and barely fit - perhaps a sign. We survive the experience and are up the five step distance and inside the library - mission accomplished, now where is that storytime?
Oh not so fast. Turns out the building is old - hence the retrofit handicap entrance (how old can it really be? we are in California, not Boston). While heading to the front desk, the front desk that everyone must pass by to get into the library, there are two narrow walkways. Two narrow walkways separated by a solid wood pillar. Surely, I will fit through this walkway. I takeover driving the stroller from Nana, this is going to take expert navigation - she understands. Of course I am taunted by a woman who just made it through this walkway with her twin stroller. If she fits, I fit. I always fit. This is nothing. Smash, smash, smash - wood particles coming off the pillar, the girls looking at me, has mama lost her mind? I must fit, I must fit. Pop a wheelie and try to lift up the stroller over the pretty, but completely unnecessary, molding along the bottom of the pillar. Finally, we fit - but seriously there must be an easier way?
A library worker comes over to help me perhaps noticing that I was going to make it into the library regardless of the damage to the pillar. I don't care if I make a scene, I have triplets - I am always a spectacle. This is my public library and we are going to storytime. He tells me to find him when leaving and he will show me an easier way to get in/out of the building.
Storytime goes pretty well, the girls seem into it. Books, felt board, songs and oddly a short movie (yes, a movie at the library). The girls don't watch tv (expect football) so they totally lost interest in the movie, it made me smile. We get ready to go. Bonnie and I discuss that it went pretty well and the girls seem to dig storytime. We find the man to show us the 'easy' entrance.
After two workers whispered to each other for a couple minutes, one leads us down the hall, with a set of keys. He escorts us through various hallways and a meeting room to a side ramp. Here it is, here is the easier exit. Then he says my favorite comment of the day. "This entrance is usually locked, so if you want to come in - just call us ahead of time and someone will come and unlock the door so you can get in." Seriously?
So I left thinking there is no way we are going to storytime again. I can say that we will be looking into different options - perhaps another branch will have better accessibility. If not, I suppose I can backpack one, front ergo one, and push one in an umbrella stroller - which guarantees me to be a spectacle!
