Indian Valley Public Library, located in Telford and situated in Bucks and Montgomery counties, serves as a community hub for people from all walks of life and, in addition to books, it offers an assortment of activities that run the gamut from film screenings to STEAM camp.
Marjorie Stern, whose expertise and creativity helped IVPL grow and flourish since 2016, recently retired as the library’s director, leaving a lasting impact on the library and the local community. As Stern steps down, she has handed the reins to the capable hands of Tracey Reed, the new director.
The Bucks County Beacon caught up with Reed for a Q&A to learn more about her and her vision for IVPL’s future. Here’s what she had to say:
Why did you pursue a career in library science, and prior to coming to Indian Valley Public Library where did you work?
Like many people who work in public libraries, I “fell into” my career. Many years ago, I started working at the Abington Township Free Library while attending Beaver College, now Arcadia University, with a goal of teaching. I worked as a shelver and Library Assistant. After graduating, I moved to Seattle and went to work for King County Library System while looking for a teaching job. I found that I still loved working in libraries, and gave up my job search and stayed with KCLS. While I did leave public libraries briefly to work in dot-coms (this was Seattle in the 90s after all), I realized quickly that my passion and career calling was in public libraries.
After not seeing the sun for 96 days one winter, I (literally) threw a dart at a map and wound up in Clearwater, Florida, where I quickly found a position with the Clearwater Public Library System. I held several roles at CPLS over the course of the years I was there, ultimately becoming the Clearwater Countryside Library Branch Manager.
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Several years ago, I moved back to the area, working briefly for Bucks County Free Library as the Levittown Branch Manager. In 2018, I became the Warminster Township Free Library Director.
During that time, like everyone, we navigated COVID, pivoting library services to include virtual programs, curbside services, and more to best serve our community.
When the Montgomery County Library District Consultant position opened, I was fortunate enough to get that role. For three years, I worked with all the libraries’ directors and boards in Montgomery County, including IVPL, on anything they needed. That position gave me the 10,000-foot view into Pennsylvania Libraries, best practices, resources, collaboration, and more. It was quite a learning experience, and that knowledge I bring with me to Indian Valley.
My passion and dedication to libraries stems from the fact that we are truly for everyone. Anyone who walks in our doors can see themselves in the mirrors of our resources, and find windows to the world beyond. Everyone is welcome; everyone is respected; everyone is valued.
Aside from providing research and fictional books, how else does a library serve a community?
Libraries are so much more than books! While we do offer a wide range of books, movies, and music (all often available in multiple formats), that’s just scratching the surface of what IVPL does for Indian Valley.
We are a meeting place where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather both formally and informally. All are welcome to come together to learn from and engage with one another in activities that range from Baby Boogie Storytime to making “plarn” sleeping mats, to learning how to find their ancestors with our genealogy programs. We have computers for use, and offer technology help – make an appointment to bring a phone or tablet or laptop in and we will assist you with whatever troubles you are having using it.
Summer is our busiest time, and as I alluded to above, libraries have diverse programs that engage people in lifelong learning. We have book clubs, art exhibits, poetry groups, gaming groups, movies, teen times, and so much more. In July alone, we have over 30 programs for all ages. Check out our calendar to find a list of all things going on at the library.
We have a great volunteer program, including but not limited to: general library help, book sales, garden clubs, and teen volunteers. Volunteers assist with many different aspects of the library, and their work is invaluable for keeping us going. The benefits of volunteering are myriad, and include building stronger communities, building relationships with others, and improved mental and physical well-being. As we all continue to find our way post-pandemic, the socializing – for all ages – that comes with volunteering can be a vital way to reconnect with the community and the world.
One of the newest things we offer is our Library of Things. These are various “things” like cake pans, drills, embroidery hoop stands, metal detectors, pressure washers, and lawn games. Things that people may only use once or a few times a year and don’t want to purchase. Or things that someone may wish to try out before making the commitment to purchase. The list is available on our website, so check out what “things” we have; the list is always growing.
Public libraries have recently come under intense scrutiny by political operatives claiming works of “pornography” are housed on the shelves. Do these allegations concern you and how can community libraries maintain collections to accommodate all walks of life?
Our mission statement is to enrich lives and minds by inspiring curiosity and advancing literacy, and provide innovative collections, programs and services. Everything we do is guided by that mission.
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IVPL supports everyone’s freedom to read. We are dedicated to providing access to a wide range of materials and resources that reflect diverse perspectives and interests for Indian Valley residents. We have strong policies and guidelines for collection development to ensure that there is something for everyone in the library. Libraries strive to be mirrors and windows for our communities: we are able to see ourselves reflected here, but also be able to see through the glass to more of the world around us.
IVPL has an assortment of publications available in electronic format. What are your thoughts on electronic versus printed materials, and is there still a demand for physical books and periodicals?
I love eBooks and read often from Libby and Kindle. But I also read physical books right alongside (I’m always reading more than one book!). It’s not an either/or decision and the ability to provide both is a great asset for Indian Valley. As magazines and other traditional print media move more online, and delivery of the print editions is occasionally challenging, having things like the Philadelphia Inquirer and other newspapers available as an electronic resource and magazines available through Libby are great alternatives.
I’m also very excited to announce that starting July 1 IVPL cardholders will be able to access Consumer Reports as an electronic resource! It will be available on our website and people will be able to access it from anywhere with their library card. In other places I’ve lived and worked, we’ve had that access and I have personally used Consumer Reports while standing in a store trying to decide which humidifier to purchase. To be able to offer things like that, which reach people where they are when they need it, is great.
At least for the foreseeable future, there will be a demand for print. Studies show that teens and young adults prefer to read physical materials for pleasure. My guess is because of all the electronic reading they do for educational purposes, but I haven’t found research to back that guess up. I liken this “debate” to the vinyl/cassette/CD/streaming “debate” when it comes to music, especially now that there’s a resurgence in vinyl records. Each format has its pros and cons, and exists for the users that want and use them.
To combat online misinformation, what strategies can libraries implement to boost patrons’ media literacy and critical thinking skills, and are you planning to implement any of those techniques at Indian Valley?
IVPL is part of the PA Library Association’s 21st Century Literacy Initiative, PA Forward. This initiative gives voice to the fact that libraries, with the right support, are ideally positioned to be community centers of information, technology, and learning that fuels educational and economic opportunities for communities and their residents.
To that purpose, IVPL focuses programming, resources, and services to promote five key literacies: Basic Literacy, Information Literacy, Civic and Social Literacy, Health Literacy, and Financial Literacy. I’m thrilled to say that this is something we already do, and we will continue to do in order to power progress and elevate the quality of life in Indian Valley.
We are truly a hub of Indian Valley for so many different reasons, and I can’t wait to see everyone at the library!
