Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 07/00) - A new chapter has begun at the Yellowknife Public Library.

Tristan Rhodes, a visiting writer from the United States, dedicated the new Writing Room at the library Monday evening.

Rhodes spent some time in the area nearly two years ago while conducting research for a book.

"When I came, I was truly blazing a trail," Rhodes said. "I came here and said, 'do you have a research room?'"

The library didn't have one, but before Rhodes returned to California (he resides in Santa Rosa, and also in Washington, D.C.), he and staff members were inspired by a book by Jill Krementz, called The Writer's Desk.

"We all agreed the writer's desk was going to happen," Rhodes explained.

Rhodes donated to the room a 19th century lithograph of choirboys at a cathedral in Spain. He was given the lithograph years ago during commencement exercises while conducting the National Boychoir of America.

"I hope all of you will use this room," Rhodes said. "This, I hope, will become a regularly used home for those of us who love literature and the creation of literature."

Rhodes thanked library staff members Eileen Murdoch, Deborah Bruser and Betty Dahl for making the Writing Room a reality.

After the ceremony, Dahl revealed the room used to be in grim shape.

"It had fallen into disrepair," Dahl said. "The walls were sordid looking, there was a lot of garbage, old computers in the room.

"We really had nothing to put in it. We didn't have a budget to do anything much. We were very fortunate in that we had a desk and a chair donated, a lamp donated.

"Then we bought very cheaply another desk and a bookcase, and a volunteer painted the room. That freshened it up amazingly.

"Then we took heart," Dahl said. "We already have one local writer making use of the room on a regular basis and she really seems to appreciate the space and the relative quiet."

"The creation of this room is just amazing. I'm going to be here," said local writer Dan Badowich.