The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
City library dispenses integral services during the pandemic
MIDDLETOWN — Despite nearly three months of closure due to the pandemic, local library staff have been hard at work behind the scenes turning the physical facility into an online resource, filling multiple and crucial needs in the community.
When the Russell Library, like City Hall and most other Middletown public facilities were closed March 13 in accordance with Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive order pertaining to the COVID-19 outbreak, everyone initially thought it would be just two weeks, according to library Director Ramona Burkey.
But, as cases and deaths across Connecticut due to COVID-19 increased, Mayor Ben Florsheim had most employees work from home to ensure their and the community’s health and safety.
Burkey never expected to be “pivoting to an alldigital work-from-home model overnight. Things were moving so quickly in March when we made that decision to close,” in conjunction with other libraries across the state — and nation.
The transition was by no means an easy one, she said.
“We are people-people, and it was traumatic” for the staff, patrons and Board of Directors, Burkey admitted. “We are here to serve the community. The way we could do that at the beginning of the pandemic was to stay closed.”
The governor is allowing libraries to begin to reopen starting June 20, but Burkey said it will take longer for her staff to ensure everyone’s safety.
Just after closing, administrators shifted many thousands of dollars intended for physical material purchases to online and digital projects, which include downloadable e-books, movies, databases, audio books, and magazines for all ages.
They knew books and other media weren’t going to be physically used during the impeding weeks, Burkey said, so they moved as much as they could online for 24-hour-aday access.
She has noticed in particular that programs which teach people various foreign languages have been heavily used.
Mary Dattilo, assistant director for public services, years ago created the library’s website from scratch by herself, Burkey said. “It’s basically an online branch and clearinghouse for information.”
Patrons are now able to get or renew library cards through the site and immediately access materials, something they could not do before.
Helpful information and links to services are plentiful, such as child care, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in both English and Spanish, best practices for working at home, and other topics.
“Libraries are here to strengthen our community,” Burkey said.
Staff also helped the Middletown Senior Center check in on the city’s elderly population through phone calls and even grocery deliveries as part of the Keep Connected program. Volunteers eventually reached 1,000 people.
Eamon Wisnecki, president of the Board of Directors, said serving patrons through virtual means is an integral part of the library’s mission.
“During the pandemic, members of the board have been very interested in continuing to offer as many of our stellar services as the library typically offers to the community while still being mindful of the safety and welfare of the overall community and wonderful staff,” he explained.
“We are looking forward to responsibly restoring services to help the community return to normalcy, and continuing to enrich and improve the lives of Middletown residents,” Wisnecki added.
The role of librarians often mirrors other facets of the service industry, much like hairdressers, barbers and other occupations, who foster a sense of confidence in their clients.
“Librarians are like bartenders. People open up to us. They tell us everything,” Burkey said.
A new curbside service begins Monday, during which people can reserve items and pick them up weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the 123 Broad St. facility.
Burkey knows many will choose to stay away from the facility during the pandemic for some time in an abundance of caution.
“The amount of time the virus potentially can survive on a plastic book cover” is being debated, she added. Because of that, staff will be quarantining all returns for 72 hours before checking them back in and offering them to other patrons.
“It’s all about sharing at the library — hopefully, sharing everything but the virus,” she said. When the building does open, it will look much different than before. Previously, 30 computers were available at stations on the upper floor. Those will be reduced to six spaced far apart to observe social distancing requirements.
“They used to be sitting there, cheek to jowl, next to one another. That’s something we won’t do,” the director said.
Rather than being able to reserve hour-long sessions, people will be allowed half-hour blocks so staff can clean the area after each one leaves.
Burkey also expects delivery of some Chromebooks and hot spots soon, courtesy of the Connecticut State Library, which secured funds through the CARES Act.
That way, those hesitant to spend time in the facility can use them in the comfort of their homes.
In light of recent protests and riots across the nation in response to the death of George Ford and other African Americans, Burkey is in discussions with staff about the importance of representing those in every community.
Floyd died May 25 at the hands of a now former police officer in Minneapolis.
“Staff made the commitment to do the hard work and look at our profession, which lacks diversity,” and primarily consists of white female professionals. Those actions range from examining the job recruitment process to the makeup of the board.
Discussions have been intense and sometimes difficult, Burkey acknowledged.
“All jokes about librarians being quiet and shushing aside, there is no way we can be too loud or too forward in talking about what we do. It’s almost up there with how teachers keep our society together. If schools are closed, everything else grinds to a halt,” the director said.
For information, visit russelllibrary.org and Russell Library on Facebook. To reserve materials for curbside pickup, call 860-347-2528.