MakeItHappen 15 #1 August 3, 2006 http://www.pe.com/columns/dianerhodes/stories/PE_News_Local_H_hdiane02.1ed9a00.html (login required) Elderly Sent Books 10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 DIANE A. RHODES The Homebound Program is for people who want books but cannot get to the Hemet Public Library to check them out. Senior librarian Maxine Watters oversees the program to ensure that those who want to read are not denied reading material. It doesn't matter whether it's a broken bone or recent surgery that makes it impossible for a patron to travel to the library on Latham Avenue in Hemet. Maxine makes sure they don't have to go six weeks or more without a book. She said there are some moms who don't drive and their children are provided with books. "But 99.9 percent of my people are elderly," she said. Homebound readers are not charged any fines and have no limit to the amount of items they can check out. "Anything we circulate they can have," said Maxine. She added that the program is individualized with some participants reading 10 books a week and others calling every couple of months. "This is probably the most rewarding thing I've ever done in library work because they are so grateful," said Maxine, who has been in the business for 26 years, all at Hemet. Although the number of requests varies each week, Maxine said the average amount of deliveries per week is about 35. "We do the entire valley to Warren Road on the west," she explained. "This includes county residents, San Jacinto and Hemet." Drivers volunteer to pick up and deliver library items for the homebound on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Jan Meyer is one of the volunteers, but she doesn't drive to the homes -- she rides her bicycle. Jan used to take three-mile trips for exercise and said it was pretty boring. "I thought I'd see if I could do something more productive while riding," she said. According to Jan, the plan has been successful because it keeps her motivated to exercise. She said it can't be ignored because she knows someone is waiting for a book. "Now I have a mission: I found a way to make my trips more purposeful," said Meyer, who is a software developer. Jan also enjoys socializing with her regular clients during her weekly visits. Steve Swain began driving for the program in December. He has a regular route that includes about a dozen stops. He said most of his clients are bed-bound because of illness, so he delivers to their family members or caretakers. "Some get a bag full of 10 to 12 books at a time," said Steve. "It can be a heavy load." Other drivers include Letty Bowles, Warren Simmons and Terry Fisher. Information, 951-765-2452 or 951-765-2440. Walk for Literacy A one-mile walk, hosted by Hemet Public Library Adult Literacy Services, AmeriCorps and Hemet Adult Literacy Advocates, will help bring awareness to the challenges illiterate adults face daily. On Sept. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m., participants will walk a route through Historic Downtown Hemet, receiving tickets along the way for an opportunity drawing. A tax-deductible registration fee of $10 for adults and $5 for children includes a T-shirt. Deadline to sign up is Aug. 28, but late registrations will be accepted the day of the event for $15. Information, 951-765-3856. Reach Diane A. Rhodes at 951-763-3456, dianealease@hotmail.com ....................... Make It Happen Parachute History DiveMaker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhammond 0 #2 August 3, 2006 Jan, you continually amaze me, you are an example to all of being a good human and good neighbor.... Barry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
