Longtime Arvada resident Marylyn Kasper is 75 years old and has to use a wheelchair most of the time. The thing she misses most about her more active days — visiting the library.
“I’ve always been a reader, and I miss the library terribly,” she said.
But two years ago, Kasper discovered Jefferson County Public Library’s Home Service program, which has since filled the library-shaped hole in her heart.
The Home Service program serves members of the community who can no longer make trips to check out books by bringing the books to them. Jefferson County residents who are permanently disabled, unable to visit the library without assistance or are recovering from an injury or medical condition that may take longer than three months to heal are eligible for the Home Service program.
Patrons can elect to receive materials via the mail on an as-need basis or they can sign up for a monthly volunteer delivery.
Kasper is visited by a library volunteer once a month who brings her about 10 books of her choice.
“I get someone to come into my house and visit with me,” Kasper said. “I wish I didn’t have to use it, but I think (the program) is wonderful and I wish more people knew about it.”
Kasper is one of 146 residents throughout Jefferson County who use the program, which also serves 25 assisted living facilities. Even though it’s been around for roughly 30 years, there are many people who have never heard of it.
“There are so many people who could be using it, whose lives it would be enriching, who do not know about it,” said Katie Maher, a Home Service program associate. “I meet a lot of people in the community, even just here in the library, who are very surprised that we offer this service and that itap free. Itap something the library is doing to make sure that every single resident is served, and itap something I want every single resident to know about.”
Jefferson County libraries want residents using this service to feel like they have just as much access to material as someone who visits the library regularly. Patrons are able to pick out specific books, movies and music online, by calling the library or simply telling the volunteer on their route.
Peggy Strate heard about the program when her mother, an Arvada resident, saw a flier and began using the service back in August.
“I talk to her every day and now she has something new to talk about every day because she’s talking about what books she’s reading,” Strate said. “Itap been her lifeline.”
Strate’s mother, Beulah Barns, 97, is reading approximately five novels each week thanks to Home Service. Strate said her mother is learning something all the time. Lately, she has been reading about the first World War and the Civil War.
“Itap really expanded her horizons and, at 97, to be able to do that is just awesome,” said Strate, who is now seeking to develop a similar service in Meeker, her town of residence.
The program currently has 26 volunteers and 25 delivery routes — one route is covered by a retired couple who do it together.
“I’m much more interested in the human impact than the statistics,” Maher said. “You can just tell by the way (the patrons) speak about (the program) and seeing them light up, they’re so excited to see our volunteers and they’re so thankful. It makes everything that we do worthwhile.”
Pat Cervera is 75 years old and has been a delivery volunteer for about a year. She delivers to the same four women each month.
“I really enjoy visiting with the women,” Cervera said. “They enjoy having someone stop by and talk with them and make sure they’re doing OK. One of the things I enjoy most is listening to their book recommendations since they go through so many of them.”
One of the biggest benefits of the Home Service program is the option for ordering books in large print. The Oberon, an assisted living facility in Arvada, has all of their books delivered in large print. Residents of the facility are able to request specific titles and authors, or simply provide a list of genres they enjoy and the library volunteers will handpick novels for them.
“It keeps their minds sharp and it gives them something to look forward to,” said Gayle Streich, the activities coordinator at The Oberon. “Itap really a good thing, especially for someone who all their life has been an avid reader. I’m an avid reader and I just can’t imagine not having a book to read.”
The program allows community members with limited mobility to feel like they can go anywhere, Streich said. “You can take a trip anywhere by just picking up a book.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the Home Service program visit Jefferson County Public Library, 10200 W. 20th Ave., Lakewood, or the Arvada Library, 7525 W. 57th Ave. Additional information can also be found by calling 303-275-6173 or visiting jeffcolibrary.org/home-services.