A challenge, someone said, only becomes an obstacle when you bow to it.
Library director Suzann Holland and her staff at the Monroe Public Library know all about challenges. When the COVID pandemic forced them to shutter their doors and tell patrons to stay home, they faced a big challenge: How to provide regular services — everything from providing books and reference materials to print/copy/fax service to children and adult programming — when the facility was closed.
“We wanted to keep in touch with people,” Holland said. “The question became, how to do it.”
Challenge accepted.
After countless hours of discussion, planning and diligent execution, Holland and staff — whom she holds in the highest regard - came up with a plan: If the people can’t come to the library, take the library to the people.
Easier said than done.
Online and remote programming quickly moved from wishful thinking to reality. Staff-created videos were made and put on social media platforms. Storytimes (complete with staff in pajamas) for children, Zoom book clubs, take and make project kits, and even a how-to-bake at home video (yes, you can make your own croissants at home) became the new norm. They even partnered with Monroe Main Street on two Story Strolls through the downtown area.
And they made it look easy and professional, a testament to the high-caliber, dedicated staff willing to think outside the box and get things done. Still, one thing was missing: How to get books and materials circulating when the building was closed.
Yet another challenge.
“We didn’t offer curbside service initially because the (Monroe Public Library Board of Trustees) board and staff were concerned about transmission,” Holland said. “Early days were questionable. There were several months when no materials and delivery were available from other libraries. We were limited in what we could provide and what people expect us to provide.”
The library tried following the school district’s lead, but quickly found out the needs of the public library and the public schools were quite different.
“The school district’s population is limited in such a way that they could keep a count of people out sick and in quarantine,” Holland said. “We’re high-touch and high-interaction. We’re a place where people expect to see friends, socialize and linger. We love that about our space but wanted to encourage people to stay home and social distance.”
Reopening, then closing again when the numbers went up also wasn’t feasible. “That quick turnaround from open to closing to opening and then closing again proved too confusing for the public,” Holland said. “We wanted to provide stable services so regular and semi-regular users knew what to expect.”
Enter curbside pickup and delivery.
“Most things you want to do at the library can be done over the phone, over chat and by curbside,” Holland said.
Staff were given more assignments. Once materials were in circulation, they had to be placed in quarantine upon return. “The pages were a key part of that operation,” Holland said. “They kept it organized and smooth.”
The staff has created a curbside form whereby patrons can request “mystery” items based on what they like, regular “displays” have been set up on Facebook and bookmarks have been distributed for patrons to choose kits and Most Wanted books and movies they are interested in.
But it doesn’t stop there.
“Moving forward, we are working on in-person, outdoor programming for the summer,” Holland said. “We’re also looking at hybrid events that happen in-person and on Zoom. And, of course, we’re looking forward to being open for in-person browsing and meeting when the county’s activity level moves from high to medium.”
Pretty amazing, but not surprising. After all, it’s just another challenge.
— Gary Neuenschwander is on the Campaign Committee for the Monroe Public Library’s “Let’s Do Something Extraordinary For Monroe” project.
