Otis Library has been open by appointment only since July, and it doesn’t appear things will change anytime soon. “That model has been working very well. The public has adapted,” said library Director Robert Farwell.

Farwell says recent relaxations of restrictions on library operations in Connecticut won’t change things right now at Otis. “We’re going to continue to rely on this (appointment) model, and proceed very carefully, cautiously, with opening on any broader basis.”

Activities such as large group meetings, and one-on-one teaching sessions remain suspended.

Twice-a-year annual book sales, a major fundraiser for the library, have also been temporarily halted, which makes a recent restaurant collaboration welcome.

The library director was one of those expected to provide curbside contactless pick-up of meals April 7 at Canggio Restaurant as part of a library fundraiser. The fact that it was to happen on Library Giving Day is not lost on Farwell, who called it good marketing.

“It reminds people that libraries are an important public institution,” he said. “They’ve been called the people’s university, and I think there’s a great deal of truth in that. We are an access point to knowledge critical to having a healthy community.”

The food pick-up collaboration is a first for the library, and is very welcome. “We’ve been quite constrained as to what we can do on-site due to the pandemic,” said Farwell.

Farwell says the president of the Friends of Otis, Nancy Burnett, contacted the general manager of the Peruvian-themed restaurant, Olivia Jackson, to set up the meal fundraiser. “I grew up in Norwich, and have been here my whole life. Everyone loves the library, it’s an important part of the community,” said Jackson. “This is the first time Canggio has partnered with another organization in town.” She says it’s a great way to not only support Otis, but to get a great meal you can’t get anywhere else in the city.

Canggio has been open since 2017. “The first few years were great,” said owner and head chef Julio Cancho. The pandemic slowed down business, but the native of Peru says collaborations such as the one with Otis are expected to help business. He says response has been great to his menu, offering “Peruvian food with a modern twist.” Cancho says he wanted to bring a different cuisine to Norwich, and it seems to have worked.

Another library fundraiser is on tap as well. A virtual “Meet the Author” event takes place Friday, May 7, via Zoom. Participants can speak with famed cookbook author, restaurant owner, and PBS TV host Lidia Bastianich. Farwell is hoping enough sponsorships can be obtained, so there’ll be no charge to sign-into the session. The library has hosted in-person “Meet the Authors” events in previous years.

Farwell says the pandemic has affected library funding, but “we’ve been very fortunate. People have supported our annual appeal. We’ve had stable funding from the city.” He adds while some library services have had to be curtailed, other services have proven to be very popular, and will most likely continue post-pandemic. Zoom programming is one, another is curbside pick-up service of library materials. “I think it fits very well into people’s busy lifestyles,” he said “They just don’t have the time to browse through our collections. It’ll remain an integral part of what we do.” Home delivery of library materials is also expected to continue.

For questions about Otis Library programs, call 860-889-2365.