To the Editor:

There were a handful of events at the library last week, and the presence of an absence at each. Not the main speaker, staff member, trustee or official, but a quiet man who took each meeting and event beyond the library doors with his words and images. Story time, summer reading, authors’ dinners, board meetings and book sales: Chris Shott came to them all. With kindness and genuine care, he gave so many events a life in print – a fond memory for those who attended, and a glimpse of what was missed for those who couldn’t. His words marked the activities of our days and his pictures made permanent those ordinary and extraordinary moments that can never be repeated or revisited.

In the coming weeks, the library will host duck races and book sales. The summer reading program will bring outdoor story walks and snacks made from the learning garden. Library life will go on. At some point, there will be someone new writing about it all. But it won’t be Chris, and it won’t be the same.

Thank you, Chris Shott, for your presence and your work. There is no replacing you. It was an honor to have you as a witness, a recorder and an advocate.

Johnna Fredrickson, Board of Trusteees, Wareham Free Library