Monessen Elks Lodge 773 donates $5.5K to Monessen Public Library

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com

Like many organizations that provide public services to residents in their community or region, the Monessen Public Library has experienced financial woes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
But on Wednesday, the Monessen Elks BPOE Lodge 773 provided the library’s board and staff with a bit of relief via the presentation of a $5,500 check to help cover operational costs and expenses related to the pandemic’s impact.
Library Board Treasurer Joe Bozik said Monessen Public Library is a hub in the city that not only provides residents with access to books, but also gives library card holders access to a computer and the internet. That gives them a chance to apply for jobs and submit applications to educational institutions, access their email, do research and more, he said, adding that the library also offers patrons a chance to print, fax and copy important documents; participate in activities for adults and children and more.
Joe said the library has had to cut back on the amount of books it purchases during the pandemic.
And with many library patrons staying home because of the coronavirus pandemic, the borrowing of e-books is more popular than ever, he said.
A portion of the Monessen Elks donation will be used to purchase new books for the library’s collection, Joe said. He’d like to see the library own at least two copies of new bestsellers so that more patrons can have access at one time.
Joe said a digital license for bestsellers can cost around $80, which means the library is typically limited on the amount of e-book licenses it can purchase. The Elks donation will help with the purchase of more e-book licenses, ensuring those who are reading at home have plenty to read and access to trending works.

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