Amid the tumult in Ferguson, Missouri that followed the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson last year, one local institution stepped up to provide a refuge for a community torn by social divisions – the Ferguson Public Library.During the two-month period that encompassed the shooting and the rioting following the announcement that Wilson would not face charges, the library stood apart as an oasis that provided art programming and tutoring for students whose classes were canceled.A sign posted in the library said it all. It read, “During difficult times, the library is a quiet oasis where we can catch our breath, learn, and think about what to do next. Please help keep our oasis peaceful and serene. Thank you!”