In last Thursday’s paper, I wrote an editorial headlined, “Reinventing libraries.” It was based on a report that library use is down noticeably in recent years.
I think a public library, specifically those in the Pike-Amite-Walthall Library System, is one of the few remaining "institutions" in our area, alongside the McComb hospital and the community college.
Libraries provide valuable services, even in this digital age. But if library use is down, we need to come up with new ways to attract more visitors.
A phone call with Darlene Morgan, director of the local library system, indicated that reinvention is under way.
Of course, one idea to help local libraries would be to put Miss Mattie in the Wayback Machine, reducing her age by about 40 years so she could work her magic with kids until the middle of the century.
Unfortunately, the Wayback Machine is like the McComb Library’s air conditioning system — in need of some repairs. So Morgan and her team are trying other ideas that really are pretty creative.
First, though, Morgan confirmed that local library use is down along with those in the rest of the state.
“We like to blame covid-19 for a lot of things,” she said. “That could be the case. Prior to covid, our numbers were going up, and then everyone thought they could get curb service, they could stay home, they could use Kindle.”
It’s taken a while for visitor numbers to rise, but Morgan said they have been moving up.
She acknowledged the impact of the internet and e-books.
“People want to say that books are going to be completely eliminated. But there are people in their 20s and 30s who would rather have a book in their hands,” she added.
There have been a few censorship-type complaints about books available in the local libraries, but the Library Board has not removed any of them.
So, what’s new? First, she said children’s librarian Sarah Simmons is growing into the job that Mattie Rials held for many years.
“Sarah is learning from Mattie, and she is finding her own way,” Morgan said. “She’s phenomenal. She’s got a lot of good ideas. She’s just in the learning curve. We’re working to get her acclimated.”
A bustling children’s program is the first step in creating library awareness among young people. But there are other efforts to be useful.
“We’re trying some different items for checkout,” she said. “We just began checking out baking molds. We’ve got baking pans. They’re for birthday parties and things like that. We just started this month.”
Also, “We’re going to start checking out gardening tools. We’ve got two little bags, they have little trowels, and you can check them out and use it in your garden.”
The library in Walthall County has started providing hand-held litter-grabbing devices and orange vests for groups who are involved with roadside cleanup projects.
“We want to do that in McComb, and we might look at doing it in one of the larger libraries in Amite County, either Liberty or Gloster,” Morgan said.
She added that the library system is working with McComb Selectman Matt Codding, who wants to start having an outdoor movie night near the McComb library. The Walthall County Library hosts bingo nights and also shows movies. Santa Claus will visit the McComb Library for Christmas this year.
Hopefully these are the first in a long list of ideas that will help libraries appeal to more local residents. The library system is trying to grow into something that will be a lot more than books, internet access and Scooter Mouse. That’s exactly what must happen.
It will be a challenge, of course. Pike County, which owns the McComb library, came through with a big chunk of money to fix the air conditioning systems in the main area and the genealogy room. As if on cue, the AC in the meeting room and art gallery went out soon after.
The McComb building is about 25 years old, and Morgan said windows need repair or replacement, as does much of the carpet. State funding for employees has been cut almost in half since Morgan arrived in 2010, and the library has reduced its staff and its hours accordingly.
Still, we must keep the faith, find some money and give local libraries time to evolve into new roles. They are too valuable to lose.
