Library accessible even to the homebound

DOWNEY - Assistance League of Downey and the Downey City Library recently marked the 25th anniversary of their partnership with Books on Wheels, a delivery service that provides library materials to homebound residents.The service is open to residents who are elderly, handicapped, chronically ill or temporarily ill or injured with confinement expected to last two months or more. Martha Sodetani, chairman of Books on Wheels, interviews patrons as to their reading preferences and any special needs they may have. Volunteers deliver and then pick up the books. Some of the Assistance League volunteers include Jean Barrera, Adele Burger, Kathy McCaughan, Willie McFarland, Eleda Powell, Joanna Shull and Yvonne Swain. Josephine de la Dingco, access services supervisor at the library, is the liaison to the Books on Wheels program. She registers patrons and coordinates with librarian Susan Lance to select appropriate library material. "The library is committed to continue to provide library materials through this program to homebound individuals who otherwise would not have access to the library," de la Dingco said. Applications for the free program are available at the Downey City Library and the Second Tyme Around Thrift Shop.

********** Published: March 19, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 48