Morrisville Library: A Look Back and a Call Forward

Morrisville Library: A Look Back and a Call Forward

Recap of Episode 3: Your Voice: Our Morrisville

In the third episode of Your Voice, Our Morrisville, we continue our exploration of the Morrisville Library—one of our community’s most cherished institutions. I was joined by longtime resident and council candidate Peggy Walsh, along with Connie Beadle, a former Morrisville librarian, retired school librarian, and current library board member.

What followed was not only a touching stroll through memory lane but also an eye-opening discussion about the library’s current challenges and what it will take to ensure it thrives for the next generation.

From the Shelves of the 1980s

Connie’s story begins in the early 1980s when she was hired—on the spot—as head librarian in Morrisville. With just a 20-hour-a-week schedule, she ran the library with the help of a small staff, a few clerks, and several dedicated volunteers.

“I was lucky,” she recalled. “I had at least five regular volunteers who helped run the desk, and others who worked behind the scenes. One man even ran our summer film program with a reel-to-reel projector. It was the 1980s, after all.”

There were also some unexpected characters. Connie recounted a young teen assigned community service at the library who refused to wear a shirt—clearly hoping not to be put on display. Instead of sending him away, Connie found him jobs to do in the back and outside. “He turned out to be a great worker,” she said. “One of my favorites.”

The Power of Bubbles and Play-Dough

As the conversation turned toward children's programming, Connie defended the use of seemingly “non-literary” tools like paint, bubbles, and Play-Dough in the library.

“It’s motivation,” she said. “These little things keep kids engaged. Wherever I’ve worked, we used crafts, prizes, even food—anything that helps kids participate and connect stories to experiences.”

She told one story about using a donated stuffed animal as a prize for the class that returned all their books. The most enthusiastic participants? Sixth graders.

“It was free, and it worked.”

A Strained Present

While Connie’s past experiences were filled with community collaboration and mentorship, today’s reality seems less encouraging. She spoke about diminished communication between the library board and Borough Council, noting that once-regular attendance by a council liaison had become rare.

“Communication has been tougher than in the old days,” she admitted.

Connie also addressed misconceptions about volunteer support. “There’s been talk that the library has 40 to 80 volunteers. I wish! We have two regulars, both juveniles. We’re working to form a Friends of the Library group, but volunteers are hard to come by these days.”

Fundraising, she added, isn’t a viable long-term solution to keep the library running. “We have seven board members—some still working, some seniors. We can’t raise enough on our own to support the library. We need consistent funding.”

The Case for Continued Support

Both Connie and Peggy emphasized the importance of stable funding, clear budgeting, and maintaining the programs that serve children and families in the borough—especially as Morrisville continues to attract young families.

“We no longer have a pool. No movie theater. There’s not enough to do for kids,” Connie said. “That makes the library even more essential.”

She floated ideas for young adult programming—board games, trivia nights—adding, “Even if it’s run by volunteers, we need supplies. We need some money to get a program started.”

And as a lifelong Morrisville resident, Connie knows how critical the library is to the town’s identity.

From Church to Library: A Living Legacy

Connie also shared a bit of architectural history. The current library building was once the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, where her father helped install the intricate rude screen—a divider from a bombed-out church in England, sent over after WWII. It still stands in the library today.

“When I first started working there, I felt like I should genuflect,” she laughed. “But it’s been desanctified. Now it’s ours.”

Looking Ahead

As her term on the library board ends, Connie has asked to be reappointed, along with two other members. The hope is that Borough Council will recognize the value of retaining experienced advocates like her.

“If we want our library to continue being a cornerstone of this community,” Peggy added, “we need commitment—from leadership and from all of us.”

If you have stories or memories about the Morrisville Library—or knowledge about the historic screen inside it—reach out. Your voice matters.

Listen to the full podcast episode at Your Voice: Our Morrisville
Stay tuned for more conversations that shape our borough’s future.