Longfellow’s famous poem Paul Revere’s Ride, describes that part of his course on that fateful night that took him through “every Middlesex village and farm” as he raised the alarm that the British were coming. Two of the towns referred to in that line are Malden and Melrose. Melrose is the tonier of the two, but Malden has more character. The two cities adjoin each other. This disparity is reflected in their two public libraries. Malden’s is located in an imposing red sandstone building, while Melrose’s library is more modern and sleek. We visited Malden’s library last weekend and Melrose’s last night. Exiting Melrose’s, we rode the elevator down. Declan likes to press the elevator buttons. He’s good at pressing buttons. Ask his brother. This time Anne noticed that both the fire and safety alarm buttons have new plastic covers. Possibly because the last time she rode that elevator, Declan pressed the alarm. The operator spoke over the PA, “9-1-1 what is your emergency?” Anne was left to explain that there was no emergency, just a child. The librarians were rather nonplussed about the whole thing, saying it happens all the time and the buttons height, while useful for stricken passengers lying on the floor, were also at an ideal height for toddlers. That is why the elevator’s emergency buttons now have covers.
