The Durand Community Library is a joint public and school library, which means that the public library and the school library share one space right in the school building. Lori Gilles, Durand Community Library Director, sees a lot of positives in this 26-year-old arrangement.
The big advantage, she says, is its convenience for everyone. “We are open early because of school hours, which helps the people who want to stop on their way to work in the mornings. We’re open late, too, which is beneficial to parents who can pick their kids up on their way home from work. The joint agreement has proven to be the best option for the Durand community.”
Durand has experienced some big staff changes over the last three years; a complete staff turnover at the public library and all but the school librarian at the school library. Lori says that since they all started around the same time they’ve come to feel like they are family now! “There is a harmony between us all,” says Lori, “and we all take ownership and help each other out, the same way a family would.”
When the opportunity came along to take advantage of a 2021 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to join the MORE system, Lori says she knew it would be “time-consuming, labor intensive, frustrating at times, and a long process. But I also knew that in the end, everyone would benefit from it!”
It’s a big job for IFLS staff as well. The IFLS team includes Kathy Setter, Lori Roholt, Bridget Krejci, Maureen Welch and Gail Spindler, but most IFLS staff contributed to this effort at some point. They were central to the success of merging Durand’s public library collection into the shared catalog. They also work closely with and train library staff. “We can never thank them enough!” says Lori Gilles.
Here’s a quick explanation of the process from Kathy Setter. “With a shared catalog, it’s critical that the catalog has the best, most accurate information as users search the MORE catalog. Every item in the Durand Public Library has to be matched individually. After that six- to eight-month process is completed, IFLS staff will continue to provide on-going support to make sure it all continues to work well for staff and patrons, as well as the whole of MORE.”
Kathy points out that the benefits of membership in MORE flow both ways. Durand Public Library’s collection adds over 1,850 items that weren’t available from any other MORE-member library.
We’ll be honest, there were some bumps along the way! The school library decided not to participate in the MORE consortium, but that didn’t change the public library’s commitment to joining MORE. Both libraries are working together so that library users, students and public patrons alike can check out any materials they want.
“I have been asked by so many people, ‘how in the world does this work, and isn’t it confusing for people?’” says Lori, “My answer is always, ‘no way!’”
If you happen to pass through this scenic and historic river town, stop into the public library and say “hello!” You’re sure to find something fun there. As Lori says, “There is always something to do in the library!”
