Cranston libraries deliver books to homebound residents

By Pam Schiff
Posted 7/26/17

By PAM SCHIFF For the past 11 years, the Cranston Public Libraries' Auburn branch has been providing books and other library materials to homebound patrons through the Books@Home program. Started back in the mid-'90s, the program was originally

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Cranston libraries deliver books to homebound residents

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For the past 11 years, the Cranston Public Libraries’ Auburn branch has been providing books and other library materials to homebound patrons through the Books@Home program.

Started back in the mid-’90s, the program was originally affiliated with the Meals on Wheels program.

“I was finding that homebound patrons didn’t do Meals on Wheels, so in 2006, I switched the program around, recruited volunteers to deliver and pick up books and sent the word out to all Cranston branches,” said Auburn Branch Librarian Karen McGrath.

The volunteers deliver books (in regular or large print), audiobooks, magazines, music CDs and documentary DVDs to any homebound Cranston resident living in their own home.

“Unfortunately, due to concerns about ‘chain of custody’ we are unable to deliver to nursing homes or assisted living facilities, at this time,” said McGrath.

There are patrons who have been with McGrath since the program was started. Some patrons only need the assistance temporarily while they heal from an illness or surgery, some until their transportation is restored, it doesn’t matter to McGrath. She just wants the patrons to get their books.

“My volunteers all have state issued BCI checks done. They are library patrons themselves. For the most part, they have recently retired and are looking for something to keep them busy as well as something that will help them give back to the community,” she said.

The volunteers become friends to the homebound, and it is a source of social interaction for everyone.

“I call each patron every three weeks to remind their materials are due, that their volunteer is coming to pick them up, and that a new delivery is on its way. If for some reason, I don’t speak to the patron on the phone and they don’t call back within two to three days, I have emergency contact numbers for all of them,” McGrath said.

The volunteers pick up all materials at Auburn Branch, but the special bags are delivered all over the city from Hall Manor to Meshanticut Vista to Scituate Vista they are a citywide available program.

‘While I do have many older patrons, some in their 90s, I had a family whose Mom couldn’t drive, Dad was working full time and running the household, so I was able to set them up with materials for their two children aged 10 and 4. This past spring I lost a regular patron who had been with me from the beginning who was 104,” said McGrath.

"Serving the residents of Cranston is always our number one priority – that goes for those who can't make it to the library as well, which is why we've developed services like our Books

@Home program. We take pride in our ability to meet our patrons with materials and resources that matter to them no matter where they are. Karen and her volunteers have done an amazing job managing this program and making it available to the residents of Cranston." Said Ed Garcia, Director of Library Services for Cranston.

One of the benefits of this program, it allows people to “Age in Place” which is an important factor as people get older.

“It permits people to stay in their homes as long as possible, giving them a sense of independence and personal decision making,” said McGrath.

The program itself was recognized in 2010 by the American Library Association (ALA) as a positive initiative in the “Keys to Engaging Older Adults.” This was along with three other models from across the country.

“Most of our patrons come to us through word of mouth, but we have family members who live out of state who have signed their loved ones up, we use the internet for outreach,” McGrath said.

Over the years, she has been able to streamline the program, from matching color-coded bags to creating personalized lists for the patrons.

“There are patrons who rely on my judgment to select books, there are some who only like certain genres and have very specific likes and dislikes. We will deliver anything that has a three-week loan period. Patrons never pay a late fee or fine, because we pick up all the materials within that 3-week time frame,” she said.

McGrath said there are 17 other Rhode Island libraries that offer some sort of homebound services according to the OSL web site.

“I am ready for lots more patrons. I couldn’t live without books. Just because you are at home, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to library services. We provide a window to a bigger world,” said McGrath.

Call Karen McGrath at 401-781-6116 or email her at karenmcgrath@cranstonlibrary.org, to register for the service or become a volunteer driver. 

To learn more about all the other services offered by the libraries, go to www.cranstonlibrary.org.

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