Community institutions of many types are addressing societal changes and a world not yet sure what the new normal will be. There were portents of this before the pandemic, and the dislocation caused by that experience is still affecting America’s public libraries.

How this manifests itself is the subject of a new book in our collection, “Overdue: reckoning with the public library” by Amanda Oliver. Oliver describes her firsthand experiences based on six years of professional work as a librarian in Washington, D.C., as well as interviews and research with peers, patrons, and other community members.

She reports on conditions our community and institutions also confront, albeit on a smaller stage, including the pernicious troika of opioid abuse, homelessness, and insufficient mental health care. To these can be added the proliferation of misinformation, and censorship.

The overarching narrative is especially pertinent: there are long-standing myths about libraries, including a profound misunderstanding in some circles about what America’s public libraries are asked to do. Freely accessible to the community, there is no immunity from matters that affect the greater world. They come to a head in public libraries, making them our responsibility to address.

This helps explain why Otis is a natural ally and collaborator with other community agencies that have a kindred interest in reaching and sharing services with the public. Among those with whom we collaborate are the Norwich Adult Education, Norwich Prevention Council, United Community, and Family Services, Lawyers in Libraries, Norwich Human Services and Youth & Family Services, Libraries Without Borders, the League of Women Voters, Norwich Race Equity Committee, and the Norwich Health Equity Committee.

We remain, as Andrew Carnegie envisaged, “Palaces for the People,” but, as an anchoring institution in our community, we also find ourselves providing access to information, ideas and services beyond those envisioned by our founders.

Apropos of addressing community challenges, October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. Drug overdose is the leading cause of unintentional death in America. In Connecticut, residents are more likely to die from unintentional drug overdose than motor vehicle accidents.

The majority of these deaths are linked to prescription opioid painkillers and illicit opioids. During October, stop by the Norwich Prevention Council table in our atrium to pick up resources and information for adults, parents, and teens to stay informed about topics such as signs of withdrawal, steps you can take to assist someone overdosing, resources for recovery, and more.

Check out one of the books on our display table featuring items from the children’s, parenting, young adult, and adult collections. Our featured book of the month is “Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic” (The Young Adult Adaptation) by Sam Quinones. Adapted for the first time for a young adult audience, it explains the roots of the current opiate calamity in America. Quinones explains how the propagation of the prescription drug OxyContin, a miraculous and extremely addictive painkiller marketed by pharmaceutical companies, fomented a national health crisis.

October also features some of the public’s favorite events. Be sure to mark your calendar for the next Friends of Otis Library Book Sale set for Oct. 28, 29, and 30. Donations of gently used books are now being accepted.

Please drop off your books, two bags at a time, at the front desk. For larger donations, call ahead to schedule. Please no encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines, or VHS tapes. For larger donations, call ahead to (860) 889-2365, ext. 127.

On Saturday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., join us for the Fourteenth O’tis a Festival. We will showcase handmade crafts from more than 40 artisans, all-day entertainment, a visit from Santa, children’s crafts and activities, an amazing raffle, celebrity parking attendants, and a few surprises! Our official schedule will be released closer to the event, but trust us – you won’t want to miss this.

This year we will have a special Holiday Book Tree in the Children’s Department. The book tree will serve as a children’s book give-a-away for those attending O’tis a Festival. If you would like to donate a new or used book in good condition for the book tree, please drop off your books at the front desk.

The Friends of Otis Library is an important partner of O’tis a Festival. Please deliver your contributions, two bags at a time, to the front desk. Larger donations must call ahead (860-889-2365 ext. 127) to schedule. Please no encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines, or VHS tapes.

Bob Farwell is executive director of Otis Library