Lose yourself at the Mount Olive Public

 With cozy places to sit and reflect, and remote and (now) in-person resources, fans of Mount Olive Public Library love their home away from home.

But it’s been a strange time for libraries.

“Prior to COVID we were in a place where we told everyone ‘please come, hang out, use our facilities’ and for two years we had to tell everyone ‘don’t come,’” says Mt.‌ ‌Olive‌ ‌Library‌ ‌Director Mauro‌ ‌Magarelli‌. 

“Then the past year we’ve been saying, ‘come, but don’t come as much.’  I think we’re over the hump and on our way back.”

Magarelli‌ credits his patrons. 

“The best January we’ve had in eight years, according to the stats I have,” the library director says books, DVDs, e-books and digital assets go out. “Even with all the crazy restrictions from the past two years people are coming here and checking out materials; they never stopped.” 

He says one of the things unique to MOPL is people are not necessarily looking for an activity, event or program, they just want to use the space to study.  

“I don’t blame them. People have been stuffed in their homes for two years,” says Magarelli. “‌They want a nice, comfortable space to work. We’ve been able to afford that.”

And the library wants to continue such an initiative. 

The library is set up with twin sections — right side is adult services (typically called the reference area) where you’ll find the heritage room, a quiet study space, which the library director is hoping to revamp in 2022.  

The Career room was set up pre-COVID with a Wi-Fi connection and white board; there’s a conference room where people can sit and read magazines… tables and computers throughout.  

“It’s the traditional, quiet side of the library and people love it,” Magarelli says anything there is more of the same but better. “Better seating, better lighting, better Wi-Fi connection.” 

Every year they have a summer reading program and this year's theme is: ‘ocean of possibilities,’ with prizes, workshops/programs and fun.  

NJ Maker’s Day is back and on March 26 they were excited to show everyone their new maker-space (on the children’s side of the library), where people could use Ellison® die-cutting machines, the 3D printer, lamination machines, dry erase tables and check out the craft closet.

According to the library director, when the building was built 15 years ago the idea was to have a space in which people could craft and create, although at that time maker’s spaces were a novel idea.

“Tools and machines they might not have at home. Every month one of our librarians does a STEM-based project. During COVID we were doing it virtually,” he says they want to do that in person now. “We also have a green screen if the kids are doing their own newscasting.  Sometimes we do historical backgrounds and places around the world.”  

They were inspired by Diane Lapsley, a former board member, librarian and assistant director of the Sparta Library who passed away in April 2020.

“She was a great proponent for the (MOPL) and always wanted to get a 3D printer and start a craft room. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to see it but we’re doing it now in her honor,” says Magarelli. 

And they have a LEGO Club. Not just playtime, it’s guided learning.  

“We want kids to read on their own and what they want to read; teach yourself without a grading system or pressure of a curriculum."

The Maker’s Space Room is going to be an extension.  

In his position, the library director says one has to evolve and adapt. 

“Ideas and thought processes I might have had when I first came here are drastically different,” Magarelli‌ says, acknowledging anytime someone has a suggestion or question about how they want to use this building. “Everyone’s opinion is valid.” 

He says it can be as simple as ‘why don’t you have more of this type of book or this kind of movie.’ Or complicated like ‘we need more specific programming.’  

You can’t jump to the next great idea, instead the library director says to sit back and think about what the great idea is and if it’s going to help the residents.  

Libraries are unique places — everyone is welcome, there’s no cost or membership, while also some limits to what they can do (if someone wants a $500 book).  

He says one out of every fifth thing checked is a digital asset.  Libraries not on board miss out. 

The library director frequently hears: ‘I like paper books and don’t want to do (digital).’ 

“Not true; it’s also not true that older people don’t like e-books or audio books; they’re some of my strongest users,” Magarelli says it’s a matter of exposing patrons to it and making sure they have the best platform.  

 It’s often used by people who commute. 

The library director does during his 50-minute commute. You can listen to thousands of e-audio books for free with your library card.  

MOPL is part of MAIN, a consortium of 49 public libraries in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset and Warren Counties, allowing them to share resources.  

In his free moments, Magarelli likes to walk the perimeter of the library’s beautiful campus and the avid bird watcher has seen 80+ avian species right on the property.  

“The building is sacred ground for book lovers looking to expand their knowledge on anything,” says the library director, who is happiest in the stacks scanning the bookshelves.  

To learn more, visit www.mopl.org.