​Morgan County Public library, Main Library, Martinsville, Indiana

​Today’s ride was one of the most difficult, 65 miles with over 2,100 feet of climbing and a westerly wind right in our faces. Good thing we could break up the day with a visit to the Main Library of the Morgan County Public Library in Martinsville. The building is a beautiful Carnegie Library with a well-blended addition. We met the Reference and Digital Literacy Librarian, Lorie Long and the Library Director, Krista Ledbetter. Lori walked us around the main collection and the genealogy area. Popular services for non-residents include open access to wifi inside and outside the building, the Little Free Library, the book sale, and genealogy services. At the Main Library, the genealogist often performs research for individuals and mails information to their homes. Everyone is welcome to programs and can use the computers with a guest pass.
 
Krista told us about the upcoming library expansion for the Main Library, finances coming from a bond and savings accrued from the library’s budget. The new addition will give the library more space for the young adults of the community that use the library as a central gathering place. A blessing but also a challenge in that other patrons find the teenagers a bit noisy. Another challenge currently facing the Main Library is the opioid problem, a situation that exists in many areas of the United States. Due to the rise in opioid addiction Lori and her staff fear that one day medical intervention will be needed or come too late for one of their patrons.
 
Oh, and another cool thing. At the Main Library, they loan out bicycle locks for use with their bike rack. Genius AND promotes cycling to the library! Great idea Krista.
 
John and I are increasingly enjoying our library visits. After we speak with library staff, we always feel as if we learned not only about the library but also about the community and the librarians themselves. Thanks Krista and Lori.