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GREENE — Visitors to Morse Memorial Library in Greene Village have noticed a variety of changes to the library’s interior over the past year. Collections have been moved, study and meeting tables have been added, and new fixtures now provide more display space for new books and DVDs.
According to librarian Steve Bouchard, it’s all part of an ongoing effort by the staff and board of trustees to build upon the library’s collections and services.
The recent changes have created a more flexible floor plan including spaces for work, study, small meetings, activities or programs.
“When we realized that we could reduce the footprint of our public computers by making greater use of laptops, it also gave us an opportunity to rethink our floor plan,” says Bouchard. “By doing some rearranging, we were able to add more seating, so people can now sit to use their laptops or borrow ours. We were also able to create some flexible areas that can now be used for multiple uses.”
For example, the library’s roomful of desktop computers has been replaced by an array of bookstore-style shelving displaying new fiction and holding the library’s growing collection of movies and audiobooks. Each unit stands on sturdy, hidden casters allowing it to be moved, creating the ability to easily convert the open, airy space into one that can also host programs or other activities when needed.
The new shelves were purchased in part with funds provided by the library’s friends’ group and a grant from the Maine Public Libraries Fund, which is supported by contributions from Maine residents through a check-off box on Schedule CP of the Maine income tax form.
“Hosting library programs is something we’re looking at now,” said Bouchard. “The challenge is that managing the library’s day-to-day operations keeps our part-time staff pretty busy. So to do this, we’ll need some volunteers to help with the planning, publicizing, and set-up. The possibilities of what we could offer here now are very exciting. There’s such a range of great programs offered by public libraries today, from book discussions to knitting clubs, author visits to music performances. It really depends on what the community would like to see. With a few more adjustments to our floor plan, we might also be able to offer a wider assortment of programs for kids.”
The library has started the process by inviting its patrons and other local residents to complete a brief survey about what types of programs or activities they would enjoy. The survey is now available at the library and on its Facebook page at “Julia Adams Morse Memorial Library.”
Morse Library is at 105 Main St., off U.S. Route 202 and a quarter-mile from Greene Central School. Library hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. For more information, call 207-946-5544.
PHOTO: With new shelves moved aside, space in Greene’s Morse Library becomes a blank slate for hosting programs or other activities. (Submitted photo)
