Morris Library continues to offer popular programs and even some new ones

The Morris Area Public Library is not able to offer its full range of services this year due to COVID-19, but with all that it is offering, the community won’t be missing much.

The staff, under the guidance of new director Resa Mai, has implemented new programs and is continuing to offer many of its longtime programs, adapting them to an online format.

The library, 604 Liberty St. in Morris, still physically lends out books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and more via curbside pickup. That has been an enormously successful adaptation, Mai said. Patrons only have to order a book through the library’s website or, if they do not have access to the internet, they can call to order books.

Staff will pull the material from their shelves or order them through their large network of other public libraries and call the reader when the books are ready.

Some people like to browse for their books, Mai said, especially children, and the librarians even can assist with that. Patrons can call the library and describe the type of books they enjoy, and the librarians will gather an assortment of books they can check out.

It’s the same for kids. Call with a child’s age and reading interests, and a staff member will choose some books they might be interested in.

“We are redirecting everything we used to do,” Mai said. “We are trying to make sure that any service we offer here, we can do curbside.”

There also is a new book drop box located in the parking lot, and books still can be returned through the slot by the front doors. Patrons are discouraged from handing returns directly to staff at this time.

The library’s board of directors also recently approved a home delivery service to bring books and other library materials to those who must remain in their homes during the pandemic.

The library also can make copies, laminate materials and send and receive faxes for patrons if they email the material or bring it to the doors of the library. Appointments can be made for passports or notary services, which are handled inside the building.

The library still is offering popular programs such as Lab Ratz for children, Take-and-Make crafts for children and adults, and story time, all of which now can be accessed online.

The director began a new monthly live Facebook event called “Resa’s Reviews and Recipes,” where she cooks dishes in her kitchen while chatting about books, movies, music and other subjects.

Her most recent dish was shakshouka, which is eggs poached over a homemade tomato sauce. On Jan. 12, she will make cake and caramel sauce.

Carol Anderson, president of the Morris Area Public Library Board of Trustees, said the library still is functioning well, despite restrictions.

The pandemic already was raging when Mai was hired. Anderson said the board was proactive when the spread began.

“We closed the library about a week before the state closed down things,” she said. “It was a very trying time.”

It was Mai’s idea to reopen the library on a limited basis during the time when infections began decreasing, to place plexiglass inside at strategic places and to remove chairs. Staff was not encouraging people to hang around, but patrons could come inside at that time to browse for books and take care of other business.

“Our patrons were so excited,” Anderson said. “Our library is a community center. We’ve tried hard to keep as many programs going as we can, and we’ve even introduced new ones. We’ve had a wonderful response to them.”

Anderson said that at the beginning of the pandemic, she was concerned that the library wouldn’t be able to provide any kind of services. Staff learned how to keep going, however, even instituting a quarantine on books. Each book returned is quarantined for 72 hours before the next patron can check it out.

Anderson said she’s looking forward to the time when the library can open its doors and patrons can return.

“Resa is a really special lady with a lot of talents,” she said. “She has made a lot of innovations in our operation, and she’s streamlined a lot of things. She has been an outstanding addition to the library.”