Message from the Director
This is the time of year that I normally reflect back on the previous year with a feeling of pride and accomplishment. Although 2020 has undoubtedly been the most challenging and unorthodox (the term “dumpster fire” comes to mind) year in my career, as I take a moment to reflect, I can still find that sense of pride and accomplishment.
People worldwide have had to make drastic changes in their daily lives and routines because of COVID-19. Here at the Mercer County District Library we have faced and overcome these challenges together with innovative solutions and compromise. Beginning in March, when the entire state of Ohio collectively closed their doors, we developed and implemented our curbside services at our main library and began doing virtual programming including trivia nights and weekly story times. When the statewide delivery system stopped in the middle of March, MCDL developed its own “mini delivery system” among local libraries in Mercer and surrounding counties.
In May, all four MCDL library locations began curbside services. Working with area libraries and our consortium we were able to once again share each other's resources. As guidelines from state and local Health Departments changed, so did the MCDL operations. We asked that all items be returned in book drops and started to quarantine all items. Beginning on June 1, we allowed patrons in the library for “critical computer use” by appointment. Finally, on July 1 we were able to open all of our buildings to the public for normal library hours. Patrons were (and are still) asked to limit their time in library buildings to 30 minutes for browsing and 60 minutes for computer use.
Slowly, patrons began coming back into their libraries. Patrons were grateful for the opportunity to browse for materials. We were grateful to see their faces, even if they were masked. Then at the end of July, it was announced that Ohio's public libraries would receive $18.3 million through the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. MCDL applied for and received over $100,000 in CARES Act funds. With these funds we have completed or are in the process of adding public safety measures to all four library locations. This includes automatic door openers, faucets, drinking fountains/bottle fillers, automated book lockers, and a Tech Lounge. Although many of these additions and enhancements would never have been thought of pre-COVID, many have always been “someday” ideas. The Tech Lounge is one of those ideas that MCDL is proud to unveil.
Although we are far from our January and February 2020 levels of service, I am confident that we will one day soon host in-person Story times, Book discussions, and programs in our libraries while continuing to offer socially distanced services like curbside pickup and computer access even if it is with our masked smiling faces.
It really is a privilege to be serving our community as the Director of the Mercer County District Library, and I look forward to seeing each of you in the coming year, when you come in to utilize what all our libraries have to offer you. Whether that be for books, technology, events, the mineral collection, or just a friendly face, we are here for you. As always, if you have any suggestions, comments, or questions, please share them with me.
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