Hennepin County Library Outreach Services brings the library to the under-served. Whether patrons are in their homes, senior housing, rehabilitation centers or county correctional facilities, Outreach Services brings the library experience and resources to the community.
Gordon Hale, a retired Maple Grove resident, has been a volunteer for the library’s Outreach Services since 1999. “My retirement philosophy is to participate in a mix of leisure and service activities,” says Hale. “I believe that having a balanced combination of these things makes life fuller, more enjoyable and more satisfying.”
Hale then tells of his mother who lived in a nursing home for three years before she passed away. “I would bring her large print books and audio books when I visited her in the nursing home,” says Hale. “She appreciated that. Reading brought her pleasure. It’s that experience which inspired me to consider doing some kind of volunteer work for the library.” Hennepin County Library Outreach Services provides Hale with the continued opportunity to touch the lives of seniors living in a nursing home setting.
“I visit Westwood Healthcare Center in St. Louis Park once a week,” says Hale. “Five residents there regularly request books from me and several others ask for books periodically. People are delighted to get a new book to read. It’s especially fun to see Elizabeth Dean, a nursing home resident who always waits for me in the lounge on Wednesdays. Her face lights up when she sees me. She thanks me for bringing her books and always asks me to thank the library for the service. I can’t help but feel a sense of joy when bringing books to people like Mrs. Dean. After my visit, I go to my home computer and order more books for the following week. It’s rewarding to know that a small amount of my time gives hours of reading pleasure to others.”
Mrs. Dean has utilized Hennepin County Library Outreach Services since she moved to Westwood Healthcare Center over a year ago. “The volunteers are like angels who ask what types of books we like and always try to satisfy our requests,” says Dean. “They give up their own time to come here. We talk about different books and discuss which authors we like best.”
When asked which types of books she prefers, Dean says, “I don’t read love stories anymore. I was married for 50 years, living my very own love story. So right now I like to read mysteries and spy stories by authors like James Patterson.”
Hale shares an interest in detective stories. He says that he and Mrs. Dean both enjoy books by Dick Francis. Hale says, “If a patron likes a particular author, I’ll search the internet for books by other authors that are similar.”
As an avid reader, Hale believes it is enormously important for people to have something good to read, especially when they may be limited in other ways. “An added benefit of volunteering for Outreach Services is that I get to know some of these people,” says Hale. “I hear their life stories and we discuss current events. There are interesting people everywhere. Readers are often some of the most interesting.”
Hennepin County Library Senior Librarian, Patrick Jones says that anyone interested in being an at home volunteer can visit: hclib.org/pub/info/support/volunteer/ to fill out an application and sign up for an orientation. “Once going through orientation for volunteering at the library,” says Jones, “volunteers are matched with patrons.”
For those interested in receiving at home library services, Jones directs Hennepin County residents to call 612.543.8850 or fill out application at hclib.org/pub/info/Outreach/AHRapplication.cfm
Print applications are also available at every Hennepin County Library and can be mailed to Outreach Services, 12602 Ridgedale Drive, Hopkins MN 55305.
