Date: Fri 07-Jun-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

library-books-on-wheels

Full Text:

with cut: Books On Wheels Is Ready To Roll

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Volunteers are standing by and ready to deliver books, magazines, and

books-on-tape to Newtown residents who are homebound and looking for some good

summer reading. All it takes is one phone call.

This free service is sponsored by the Friends Of The Cyrenius Booth Library.

It was the inspiration of Friends volunteer Ruby Johnson and Library Board

President Gordon Williams.

"For people who are locked into their homes, this is a window on the world,"

said Aubrey DeWolfe who has volunteered to deliver books for the program. "I

love to read. There must be some people in Newtown who like to read and can't

get to the library."

Each Wednesday, Susan Spengler stops by the library to see if she will be

taking books to anyone. But almost every time she has been disappointed. "Just

one call and they'd find out how simple it is," said the volunteer. "We're

dying to deliver."

The program is offered to those who might not drive anymore, have a

handicapped which makes it difficult to access the library, or who are

homebound. Jan Bennett, for instance, was stuck at home for two months while

she recovered from major surgery. Her husband travels extensively for work so

she was unable to get to the library when a reserved book came in for her.

"They had someone out the next morning with the book, The Horse Whisperer ,"

she said. And she was thrilled to have such a good book to immerse herself in.

"The story is about the healing of a girl, and the healing of a horse - a book

of healing" appropriate to her situation, she said.

"Sure, I could have found a neighbor to go get the book, but it's such a neat

thing to have the book delivered," said Mrs Bennett. "There must be a lot of

elderly people who can't get out. [They should] just think of it as Meals On

Wheels, but it's Books On Wheels. It would be unfortunate to have to stop

reading because they can't get out to the library."

At first, Mrs Bennett felt it was an imposition for someone to drive all the

way out to her house to deliver a book. But then she reconsidered and decided

if the situation ever arose again, she would not hesitate to request the

service.

"I've done a lot of volunteer work and I know how good it feels to volunteer,"

she said. "I'm more apt to take advantage of it now when the need arises

because people really want to do this. But you can't do it if nobody calls."

Maureen Armstrong, the library contact for Books On Wheels, welcomes calls

from anyone interested in receiving books through the program. She wants to

spread the word so the "faithful, enthusiastic, and dedicated" volunteers can

get busy.

Here's how it works:

Your library card has to be on file at the library. If you don't have a card,

ask for a registration form when you call to have books delivered for the

first time.

Call the library at 426-4533 to request materials - and don't forget about the

extensive collection of Large Print books. Requests are taken Monday through

Thursday from 9 am to 10 am; and Friday from 9 am until noon.

The service is limited to five titles per request and three books loaned at

one time. Most books can be loaned for four weeks, but best sellers and new

books are loaned for two weeks only and usually have a waiting list.

Within a few days, a volunteer will deliver the books to your door.

When you've finished the books or want more, simply call the library to

request pick-up or another delivery.

"If I were homebound," said bibliophile Aubrey DeWolfe, "I'd probably need

more than one person to carry my books."