Susan Marshall, interim director of the Rumford Public Library, and employee Tom Currivan display about 1,000 books being moved to larger shelves. The library is closed to the public during the pandemic but employees, including Mary Ann Fournier and Serena Theriault, are staying busy with organizational and cleaning tasks. Submitted photo

RUMFORD — Leaders of the Rumford Public Library and the Greater Rumford Community Center are staying busy, despite their buildings being closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Center Director Gary Dolloff is engaging the community in activities via Facebook, promoting contests, a dance challenge and other offerings to get people moving and outdoors.

He began with a snow sculpture contest after the March 16 snowstorm, offering gift certificates to the top three creations, courtesy of Frosty Delight.

That was followed with a video dance challenge.

The next activity was the River Valley Book of World Records, sponsored by Dick’s Restaurant in Mexico. Among the offerings was a game of leap frog and a can-stacking competition.

Businesses that want donate money or gift certificates for prizes may contact the River Valley Chamber of Commerce at 364-3241 or email Cheryl Dickson at info@rivervalleychamber.com to make arrangements.

At the library, interim Director Susan Marshall and other employees are accomplishing some chores while hearing how much patrons miss them.

“We’re getting a lot of calls,” Marshall said. “People really, really miss us. And we miss letting people in, but not much we can do.”

She said employees are moving about a thousand books to larger shelves, making changes to accommodate new computers in the Children’s Room and cleaning the attic.

She invited people to view photos of their work on the library’s Facebook page.

Marshall, who is also children’s librarian, was recently appointed to replace Michael McWilliams.

Jerry Cohen, chairman of the library board of trustees, recommended McWilliams’ dismissal and the board voted to do so in March.

“The Board will meet again when the health crisis permits to discuss advertising for the director’s position,” Cohen said.

Town Manager Stacy Carter had no comment on the dismissal, saying it is a personnel matter.