If you still think of libraries as places of books and mandatory silence, all you need to do is stop by the Holmes Public Library in Halifax and speak with Cataloging Librarian and Assistant Director, Maria Bumpus, to learn that this idea could not be further from the truth. As you enter the Holmes Library you are greeted by a glass case exhibiting impressive Lego creations and an elegant display of folded paper cranes above the circulation desk dangling like crystals on a chandelier -evidence that a great deal more than reading and book circulation takes place here. Seated at a cozy table in a bright corner surrounded by colorful tomes and meticulously organized shelves, Bumpus speaks with tenderness and pride about the library she has been expertly and lovingly curating and maintaining for the last ten years.
The love of libraries was instilled in Bumpus from a young age. She recalls frequenting the Taunton Library in her youth that was located upstairs from an old fire station. Though finding a vast collection of books hasn’t changed from when she was visiting the library as a child, many other aspects have. “Back then, quiet was demanded. You went to the library to read and that’s it. Now, on any given day, we have children laughing with puppet shows going on and adults meeting and chatting for book club. The library is a place of community more than quiet.”
Bumpus’ fondness for libraries was enhanced as a mother of four. She found the library a vital resource for her children not only in exposing them to books but in helping them socialize. Bumpus, a geography major from Salem State University, became so enamored with the library that she sought employment there and in 1993 she began working at the Bridgewater Public Library. Twenty years later she moved to the Ames Free Library in Easton and worked as the part-time circulation assistant. Following this, Bumpus decided to try something very different from a public library and she joined the library staff of Massasoit Community College. The academic library of the college proved quite a different experience from public libraries -largely due to a quick turn around of patrons who were usually at the school for only two years. Public libraries, she points out, often have the same patrons for many years and the librarians get to know them well. Following her time at Massasoit Community College, Bumpus found a position at the Holmes Public Library working at the circulation desk. Ten years later and she now runs the cataloging department full time and is the assistant director of the library.
Bumpus explains that her role as the cataloger is essentially being the curator and collector for the library. She must also be a scrupulous perfectionist when it comes to the details of numbers, authors, book titles, and the systematic organization of materials. “I like the evolution of my career,” says Bumpus, “I started with children and patrons, now I purchase books and keep the collection organized, flowing, and relevant. Cataloging is unique in that it is just me and the books.”
Bumpus also realizes that what she collects for the library plays a crucial role in maintaining its relevance in the community. Bumpus purchases the materials for the Holmes Library from Ingram Content Group with an annual budget of $46,000. These purchases include books, eBooks, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and all offered forms of media. Bumpus is always on the lookout for works to acquire by studying best seller lists, receiving emails from companies like BookBub, and being made aware of books that are making a public splash through social media. She also loves to glean ideas from patron requests and book club discussions. “I want to make sure I am adding things that are relevant to the community.” Bumpus also realizes that keeping up with the latest trends is essential in encouraging the community to be engaged in the library. “Right now, for instance, graphic novels are very popular with the kids. They have rather replaced comic books so I make sure to have lots of graphic novels to offer our younger guests.”
In addition to offering materials through various medias, the Holmes Library offers free community access to computers, free internet, printers, and fax machines. “Some of the patrons do not have access to computers at home or they are not quite computer literate. We offer that access and assistance to the community.” Bumpus explains that the libraries computers are also used in job searching and collecting unemployment while seeking work. “To apply for jobs now everything has to be done online. Bumpus also points out that the public computers are used for things like genealogy which is a growing interest in the community. “We have a genealogy program that meets once a month. This digital dive into ancestry has become one of our most popular programs.”
In addition to materials and machines available at the Holmes Library, experiences and community engagement are equally important and focused on. “We offer many programs for all ages and interests. We just had a ukulele player come perform for the children and they brought in a ukulele for each child so that they could experience the instrument for themselves. Today we are having a Zentangle class which shows children that drawing can be meditative as well as entertaining.
We have story times, music, and crafts for kids and then we have things like the COA Book Club for seniors.” Bumpus says she also hosts two Historical Fiction Book Clubs at the library because when she started the club, she had four people and now she has 21, so she had to split the group. “We are welcoming to all in the community. The library is a place for books but also a place to socialize and learn. We often become emotionally invested in and connected to our patrons, knowing many on a first name basis after years of seeing them.
Bumpus is not exaggerating when she says the Holmes Library is invested in meeting the needs of the community. One of the most important and meaningful services the library provides is the Bookmobile. This is a free service for the town of Halifax where library employees drive around to visit the homes of those who are housebound and unable to attend the library. They deliver new books, collect the books from the last visit, and check in on the patrons who, oftentimes, don’t get many visitors. “Books give people something to do -to look forward to,” says Bumpus.
Keeping the elderly, adults and children in the community active in the library is not, however, the libraries greatest challenge. When asked what age group she would like to see more of at the Holmes Library she answered immediately, “Tweens. It is quite difficult to appeal to that particular age group. They are gaining their independence and their social life is increasingly important,” Bumpus is always looking for ways to make reading and the library exciting. She wishes tweens would start to view books rather like they do movies -thinking about them and talking about them amongst their peers.
The library is seeing an increase in reading enthusiasts due to the new phenomena of “BookTok” and “Bookstagram” which are beginning to make reading “cool” again in this digital age with entertaining bibliophile influencers touting the latest reads with accompanying reviews, skits, art work related to the books, and discussions (some quite heated) among followers. For Bumpus, the most enjoyable of these modern-day offerings in the book world are the author interviews. “It is wonderful to be able to learn about the thought process behind any given book -especially from the author. Many new authors are rising from obscurity through social media such as thriller author, Freida McFadden and Colleen Hoover. All were unheard of until the social media frenzy and now their books are constantly sought out by library guests.”
Whether increased admiration of books comes through social media or book club discussions the Holmes Library is always available and ready to offer in person connections as well as materials and resources to satiate everyone’s literary appetite and interests. “From ages 3 to 103, we offer something to everyone in the community,” Bumpus assures. One thing she will take away rather than leave behind when she reaches the end of her library career someday: An extensive reading list for herself that she has built up for years. “I also collect book recommendations for myself through my work and the patrons and now I have a retirement reading list that will take me the rest of my life to read.”
For now, Bumpus is busy in her constant efforts to make the Holmes Public Library a place or order, resources, learning, and community. “Libraries are one of our most important learning centers and gathering places in our communities. I am happy to share the Holmes Library with our community.” As I leave with my eye on a few new releases and as the sentimental sight of the children’s area instantly evokes memories of weekly storytime with my children when they were little. I can easily agree with Albert Einstein when he said, “The only thing that you absolutely need to know is the location of the library.” I invite anyone reading this to venture to 470 Plymouth St. in Halifax and you will undoubtedly discover what makes the library relevant to you.