Nancy Edmonds Hanson
nancy.edmonds.hanson@gmail.com
Now, when many book-lovers have nearly unlimited time to read, there’s irony afoot: The doors of the Moorhead Public Library, along with the rest of the book havens in the Lake Agassiz Regional Library system, are locked … their lights off, their parking lots empty, their staffs dispersed to home offices and kitchen tables trying to carry on.
But all is not lost. Director Megan Krueger maintains a different perspective on the pandemic’s unprecedented impact. “None of us have been down this road before, and none of us would have chosen it,” she says. “I think it’s a time, though, for thinking of new ways to serve our customers. My staff has been great about trying to stay flexible and creative – about trying all kinds of new things.”
Some aren’t exactly new. Moorhead has been building a collection of some 20,000 e-books, along with digital audiobooks, over the past 10 years. “That started slow, but it has really taken off,” the head librarian confesses. “Now it’s a main way to serve people wherever they’re spending their time.
On a typical day, pre-virus, the Moorhead library has always buzzed, a hub of all kinds of activity. “There is no ‘normal’ day at the library,” Megan laughs. “You never know who’s coming in next and what they’ll need.” Open every day but Sunday, the library draws an impressive stream of information seekers through its doors. From 700 or so – a quiet day – to more than a thousand on a busier one, people of all ages partake of choices that have made it one of the city’s most popular attractions.
The newspaper group arrives every morning, drawn by the free coffee and the day’s headlines. Digital natives pour in to use the bank of internet-connected computers and the WiFi, perhaps to scan jobs boards or print out an application. Parents arrive with children in tow for the Baby Bounce and story time. Students from elementary school through college seek research help from reference librarians. Digital newbies are drawn by the promise of help with their computers and devices. Then there are the regular browsers, who are simply looking for something good to read.
Not now. But Megan and her staff are finding ways to provide the same services – virtually.

Library cards are hot
For the digital literati, the library’s massive collection of e-books and e-audiobooks has satisfied their appetites during long days of sheltering in place. While e-readers, tablets and computers had been drawing patrons to their collection long before COVID-19 struck, isolation has pumped up their numbers.
All you need to enjoy titles via the apps Overdrive or Libby is a library card, Megan explains … and if you’re lacking that magic carpet, the situation is easy to remedy. “In the past, people had to come in to apply. They needed to show us some proof of residency like a drivers license or rental agreement. That’s required by some of our vendor agreements. Since we closed March 15, we’ve set up our website so people can apply for their cards and essential barcode numbers online. We just ask that when things are back to normal, they come in person to confirm their address.”
She says the digital material has been a crowd pleaser, with more than 120 new card-holders joining the crew. “And we’re always looking for more,” she emphasizes. To apply, go to www.larl.org. Then download OverDrive, Libby or the LARL Mobile app from links provided on the site.
Like ink-on-paper books, e-books can only be borrowed by one customer at a time. “The waiting list can get kind of long,” she admits. The most popular in both e-book and e-audiobook formats is “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. Other popular titles today include Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” and one of Megan’s personal favorites, “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover.
A long list of newspapers and magazines can be read online, too, through the library apps. She’s especially excited to add a new service, Hoopla, that she calls “the public library version of Netflix.” “We may have it as soon as next week,” she predicts. “You’ll be able to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, e-books, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV,” she says. With no waiting, titles can also be streamed immediately or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline use.

Storytime for the littles
Several LARL librarians have begun posting readings of favorite books online under the banner of LARL At Home. Children’s librarian Kai Thorstad has taken the popular weekly Baby Bounce sessions online through video. “It’s been very popular,” the director says, as are other books for young listeners by librarians throughout the LARL system. “We plan to keep offering them,” she adds.
Another innovation to stay in touch with their audience is the new LARL Hotline – 833-522-5275. On weekdays, staffers from all the LARL sites take shifts on the phone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some are developing the framework for online book clubs and other online services.
Progress has been slowed, but not stopped, on Moorhead’s new Book Truck. “We still plan to use it around town this summer, but we don’t know exactly how,” she reports. Another upcoming addition is closer to reality: “We’ve ordered a supply of mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, and should have them by the end of May.” The devices will be available for borrowing and use by those without other internet access.
And more services are on the way, some decidedly low-tech. Beginning Friday, staff members will take turns offering curbside service to library patrons. “We’re starting out with books and audiobooks they’ve been waiting for that have come in since we closed our doors to the public,” Megan says. “We might expand it in weeks to come, depending on how it goes.”
In the meantime, the library staff is taking every precaution their profession recommends to keep people and materials safe. They are setting aside returned items for three days before handling them and taking the extra step of disinfecting plastic surfaces – dust jackets, DVD cases – with products approved by the Department of Health and library associations.
“Digital material is obviously here to stay,” she says. “After all this is over, we’ll undoubtedly continue with some of what we’re learning. We’ll be so glad to get back together, though. There will certainly be adjustments, but the libraries will still be here.”