Library Hobos? In Naperville?

In an attempt to stay sane and focused, I’ve been spending more time at the library since I lost my job. If I stay home, I tend to get a bit depressed and way antsy. By making myself get up and dressed and out the door, I feel like I have at least the semblance of a routine

Library culture is very interesting. We have a nice selection of regulars.

There are the college kids who didn’t go home for the summer, who spend their days prepping for the MCATs or other equally impressive tests.

We have the day traders. They’re easy to spot by the constant wrinkle in their forehead.

The mommies usually make an appearance right before lunch time. I think there must be some story time on the lower level right about then, the kids’ yelling having loud fun.

And then there is the one five- or six-year old girl who just wails away no matter what her dad does to calm her down. She’s my alarm clock, telling me when it’s time to reload on the coffee.

There are the retired folk who are the saddest things ever! Sitting by themselves in the quiet reading section, doing cross-words and I imagine pooping themselves.

But the most bad-ass regulars… the hobos!

Back round:

Naperville, Illinois is ritzy. By that I mean, big houses, bigger egos, and a huge tax revenue; enough for the city to support 3 libraries. My library is the #1 in the nation, based on population. It’s a college town with pricey restaurants and not a single homeless shelter or food stamp assistance office (I checked).

So how do we have hobos hangin’ out at the library each and everyday? I’ve narrowed in on three people in particular I am sure fit the hobo criteria.

Hobo: a lout, clumsy fellow, country bumpkin. OR a disreputable vagrant; "a homeless tramp"

*that’s dictionary.com’s definition.

Others may consider a hobo to be called:
Italian or Spanish: vagabondo
Danish or French or Swedish: vagabond
Czech or Slovak: tramp

I like to think of a hobo more on a visual basis, see video – it’s sad and a little offensive, you’ve been warned. The video’s not best quality, but it shows you exactly what TYPE of hobo I’m referring to.



I love my hobos. They make for good entertainment when I need some distraction from writing and actually accomplishing anything.

For example,

One of my hobos uses the payphone for his own… makes for great viewing when someone else attempts to place a call… hobo storming out and standing uncomfortably close behind the caller… trying to give the naive person a hint to get lost.

The payphone hobo and the sad old man hobo get into it, almost everyday arguing over answers to crossword puzzles.



Or when the lady hobo got kicked out for yelling at a kid who accidentally bumped into one of her numerous plastic bags she brings everywhere with her.

I haven’t really figured out why these three are always here, but I think it has to do with them being crazy, and without family to care for them.

Sad really. But also quite amusing. One more fun hobo video for your pleasure.