While most newly appointed library directors spend the first few weeks of their tenure getting to know the patrons and becoming familiar with how the facility operates, Maria Long has started her new position at the Village Library of Morgantown during a time when the library doors are temporarily closed.
"Literally, the Monday I was supposed to start the library was closed to the public," said Long, who still visits the library as needed during the week. "Even though we're closed, there is (work) I can't do remotely, and I check on the building."
"The book drop is closed, but people drop off books anyway," she added, advising patrons, "Don't bring anything back until we are open; you will not get fined."
The Village Library is a part of the Berks County Public Library System, and Long has been working in the system for 11 years, most recently as the teen librarian at the Wyomissing Public Library. Previously, she was an interlibrary loan librarian and worked as the youth services program coordinator at the Reading Public Library. She was also the youth services program coordinator and assistant branch manager at the South East Branch of the Reading Public Library.
Long succeeds Natasha Donaldson, who is now director of the Mifflin Community Library in Shillington. "She's been helping me through (the transition). I see her at meetings, and she has been extremely helpful," noted Long. "I also knew Pam (Mohl, children's librarian). We have gone to conferences together."
Long said she was hired following an interview process by the Village Library's board of trustees with guidance from the Berks County Public Library System. "I applied back in December and was not hired until March 23," she noted. "It's important when you're trying to pick someone to lead. You don't want to make a hasty decision."
While the library is closed, online programming is being offered, including art classes and author talks. "We are doing online story time and offering different services and things that people can check out," Long shared. "Our e-resources are still available like e-books and things they can access from home."
Since the library cannot host its annual spring book sale, Long has started a GoFundMe page, titled "Five a Day Keeps Library Pay." "We hope to raise $5,000 dollars in the process," said Long. "The online fundraiser is until the end of April but will extend if needed. Even if people gave as little as $5 and you (multiply that by) 500 to 1,000 people, that's a lot of money."
Once the library opens, Long wants to get to the know the patrons and continue to offer online programming. She also hopes to make the Village Library a popular place for people of all ages to enjoy, especially youths. "My goal as a whole is to have a strong online presence whether we are closed or not," she said. "A lot of people go (to the library), but some people don't know that the library is here. I started an Instagram page and we are up to 130 people, which is great."
She also wants to help people cope with the current pandemic by offering programming on the library's Facebook page, as well as pertinent information. "Staying connected with people is our big goal," she said. "We are here for our patrons even though we can't be there physically for them. We still care, and we want to make sure people's needs are being met and make sure they are getting unbiased information about the virus."
The Village Library is located at 207 N. Walnut St., Morgantown. For more information, readers may visit http://www.berkslibraries.org/branch/village or http://www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryofMorgantown. A link to the GoFundMe page can be found on the Facebook page by choosing Events.
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