On a cold winter morning, down by the Rock River
I met up with some patrons and they gave me funny looks.
I asked what was the matter and this is what they told me
As we walked inside together, so they could return their books.

They said, man, we've made a life out of reading with our families
We've been to all the branches and the services are nice.
But if you don't mind us saying, I can see you need more spaces
For a taste of your java, we'll give you some advice.

So I handed them my thermos and they passed around the coffee
Then they said "This isn't Starbucks, what you need is a cafe
Where folks can come together over books and deep discussions
Said, if you're gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta have latte.

You've got to know how to read 'em, and know how to lead 'em,
Be good to one another, and know how to have fun
You never count your money when you're sittin' in the boardroom.
There's time enough to party when the referendum's done.

Now ev'ry patron knows that the joy of good collections
Is knowin' what to catalog and knowing what to weed.
And with a lot more funding, we'll have more service to the people
So let's have a referendum that will get us what we need.

They said, "You're open–minded and it helps that you're a drummer
You like Cheap Trick and Mozart and you're cool like Richard Gere
We're glad that you're tenacious and we see that you are gracious.
We welcome our new leader, and we're glad that you are here!"

You've got to know how to read 'em, and know how to lead 'em,
Be good to one another, and know how to have fun
You never count your money when you're sittin' in the boardroom.
There's time enough to party when the referendum's done.

You've got to know how to read 'em, and know how to lead 'em,
Be good to one another, and know how to have fun
You never count your money when you're sittin' in the boardroom.
There's time enough to party when the referendum's done.