|
|
|
Can’t we all recall a book that changed our lives, that propelled us into a new relationship with ourselves, with others, with the entire world? Are there not few greater pleasures than reading? Such joy, such freedom, such incredible possibilities – all at the tips of our fingers!
Imagine, however, the agony of having the written word unavailable to you.
Friends of the Library members Debbie Desrochers and Kim Solga, the creators of south county libraries’ Book Buddy program, hope to make the written word forever available to everyone.
“Unfortunately, many in our communities can’t get to the library. We’ve created a program for them; we’re hoping it will last forever,” said Solga.
“We’re calling it Book Buddy; it’s a volunteer program that will essentially bring the library to the homebound,” Desrochers added.
“As a board member of Mt. Shasta Recreation and Parks District, I’ve come to understand the needs of those who get Meals on Wheels,” Solga noted. “The homebound are pretty isolated, and their families and friends are concerned about how to enrich their loved ones’ lives. Debbie and I believe the Book Buddy program will do that.”
“Since we lost the Care Center, there’s been no real way to respect and honor our elders or learn from them,” Desrochers said. “We’re hoping our program will change that.”
“However, the program is definitely not age specific,” Solga said. “It’s for all who are homebound.”
The Book Buddy program will provide many library services. “Volunteers will check out and deliver books, CDs, books-on-tape.” Desrochers said. “The Book Buddy will provide training for working with equipment, too.”
“Someone may want to be read to, or want to discuss a book with another,” Solga added. “The Buddy can be there for that.”
“And it’s all free!” Desrochers chuckled. “All people have to do is give us a call and we’ll get them started.”
The seed for the Book Buddy program was planted a year ago. “I’d been missing the Care Center because I liked working with the seniors there,” Desrochers said. “I was lamenting the loss with Kim and she talked about her mom’s Library Book program in Vacaville.”
“My mom couldn’t drive anymore and she so missed reading and talking with others about books,” Solga said. “We discovered that the Solano County Library had a program for the homebound patron. I enrolled her in it and it changed her life. My mother’s experience gave us the idea to start a similar program here.”
Can’t we all recall a book that changed our lives, that propelled us into a new relationship with ourselves, with others, with the entire world? Are there not few greater pleasures than reading? Such joy, such freedom, such incredible possibilities – all at the tips of our fingers!
Imagine, however, the agony of having the written word unavailable to you.
Friends of the Library members Debbie Desrochers and Kim Solga, the creators of south county libraries’ Book Buddy program, hope to make the written word forever available to everyone.
“Unfortunately, many in our communities can’t get to the library. We’ve created a program for them; we’re hoping it will last forever,” said Solga.
“We’re calling it Book Buddy; it’s a volunteer program that will essentially bring the library to the homebound,” Desrochers added.
“As a board member of Mt. Shasta Recreation and Parks District, I’ve come to understand the needs of those who get Meals on Wheels,” Solga noted. “The homebound are pretty isolated, and their families and friends are concerned about how to enrich their loved ones’ lives. Debbie and I believe the Book Buddy program will do that.”
“Since we lost the Care Center, there’s been no real way to respect and honor our elders or learn from them,” Desrochers said. “We’re hoping our program will change that.”
“However, the program is definitely not age specific,” Solga said. “It’s for all who are homebound.”
The Book Buddy program will provide many library services. “Volunteers will check out and deliver books, CDs, books-on-tape.” Desrochers said. “The Book Buddy will provide training for working with equipment, too.”
“Someone may want to be read to, or want to discuss a book with another,” Solga added. “The Buddy can be there for that.”
“And it’s all free!” Desrochers chuckled. “All people have to do is give us a call and we’ll get them started.”
The seed for the Book Buddy program was planted a year ago. “I’d been missing the Care Center because I liked working with the seniors there,” Desrochers said. “I was lamenting the loss with Kim and she talked about her mom’s Library Book program in Vacaville.”
“My mom couldn’t drive anymore and she so missed reading and talking with others about books,” Solga said. “We discovered that the Solano County Library had a program for the homebound patron. I enrolled her in it and it changed her life. My mother’s experience gave us the idea to start a similar program here.”
Solga and Desrochers met with Friends of the Library and Cover2 Cover in January of this year to discuss the program; both groups were supportive. So Solga and Desrochers got into action.
“We worked closely with the Solano County Library,” Solga noted. “They’ve been very helpful and gave us a lot of material to work with and great suggestions. They’re a great resource.”
Desrochers emailed the Buddy idea to friends; six immediately volunteered to participate. “Originally, we thought we’d just start at the Mt. Shasta Library, but some of the volunteers live in Lake Shastina and McCloud, so we decided to offer the program to all south Siskiyou Library patrons.”
Volunteers will receive general Friends of the Library volunteer training and will also learn how to interact with the homebound patron. The Buddy and the patron will have a confidential relationship that provides complete privacy, Solga noted. “Of course, there will be a thorough background check of the volunteer.”
“And we’ll find out what preferences the volunteer has,” Desrochers added. “Some may want to read, some may want to just deliver and pick up library books. Some may want to work with elders while others may prefer younger patrons. It will be a one-on-one relationship.”
“We want to have a perfect match between Buddy and patron,” Solga emphasized. “Debbie and I will assess the needs of the patron in an initial interview. “Based on what they want, we’ll pair them up accordingly. We want it to be a win-win situation for everyone involved.”
“Cover2Cover supports Book Buddy wholeheartedly,” C2C co-founder Nadine Aiello noted. “It’s yet another great way to make the library part of everyone’s lives. Let’s get the word out to everyone in the community!”
“Our goal is to develop a program that will help create real, caring personal relationships between the volunteer and the homebound. That’s how it worked in Solano County,” Solga smiled. “I’m sure we’ll be able to do that here in our magical communities.”
“We’re very excited,” Desrochers agreed. “We’re hoping lots and lots of people will contact us!”
To learn more about the Book Buddy program, call Debbie at 926-2913 or Kim at 926-5076.
