'People don't talk to each other enough, they just don't.'What are you doing in the library today?

Today I’m doing some research on taxes—I’m an accountant.  I was also in real estate for many years—I was the controller in a co-op on 23rd street.  Everything was done by hand before computers, even in the 1990s.  I’ve also worked with the City a lot so I know how they operate.

When you come here what do you use to help you do your work—like books or…

I’ve used a lot of books down here—especially books on taxes and real estate.  I need the computers so I can email.

How long have you been going to libraries?

Most of my life—my library card is really old!  I would say I’ve been coming to Jefferson Market 26 years, 27 maybe—I would go to school and come here at night.  There are a few people you see me talking to that have been coming here longer. There used to be no computers down here in the basement.  This was really a research room and now it’s become a multi-faceted room.  It’s quiet.

You often spend the whole day here, right?

I worked for a company for 18 years—they went out of business.  Then I used to work from my home.  I used to live right around the corner on Charles Street but with the economy I had to move—I’m uptown now.  The library there, on 145th street has a lot of kids—the library there is primarily for kids, so you get no privacy like you do here.  So, yes, I get up and come to work at the library every day.  I do a lot of math, that’s the one thing that can keep you sharp—it keeps your mind going.  Not working at the moment—I have too much free time unfortunately. 

The economy—

So many places went out of business around here in the Village, there used to be so many restaurants.  So many businesses gone, the rents are so high.  So I have to keep on top of the real estate market, the laws change so quickly. 

Anything else you’d like to say?

I like to tell people: do something, don’t just bury yourself in a computer—they’re wonderful, yes they are. But don’t bury yourself in a computer—get out there, read.