MONROE - Not long after starting her position as programming and senior outreach librarian at the Monroe Public Library, Janel Keizer wanted to establish a functional delivery program for people unable to travel to the library.
Although the library has had a homebound delivery program in the past, it never had a "functional format and was more informal," said Peggy Ivik, the volunteer coordinator for the library.
Keizer researched other homebound delivery programs throughout the state of Wisconsin to develop a program that would be a good fit for Monroe. The organizers started theirs gradually to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the demand.
"I think we can take it to the next level," Keizer said. "We'll accept people as long as we have the people to help with delivery. If it gets to the point where it gets too much for our delivery people, then we won't be able to accept any more individuals."
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Ivik at the library. Volunteers fill out an application, are interviewed and undergo a background check. The position has also been posted on the Green County Volunteer Network website www.volunteergreencounty.org.
"I think it's exciting we can provide this service," Ivik said. "I think everything we can do as a library to help our community be better is a good deal, and if we can get the word out like we've started to now, I think we'll have a lot of people who are interested."
Karen Meier of Monroe volunteered to deliver books for the program. Meier had seen the importance of accessibility to books while her husband was in the hospital, while volunteering at a job center and working as a home-helper.
"We need to get to individual homes," Meier said. "Especially for those that are very literature-minded and who want to read fiction and nonfiction."
The program will deliver to anyone who lives within the city of Monroe or at Pleasant View Nursing Home who can't make it to the library due to a physical limitation or illness. Bags of books and other materials based on individual preference will be delivered on a monthly basis.
Keizer delivered to a resident at Aster Assisted Living of Monroe who enjoyed reading but couldn't read due to cataracts. She was able to bring him an mp3 player so he could listen to audiobooks with a headset and delivered CDs for him to play on a stereo.
Ellen Hossman, executive director of the Literacy Council of Green County, also signed up to deliver bags of books.
"The more we can share words with people, the better our world's going to become," Hossman said. "It opens up worlds for people, and for those folks that can't get to the library for whatever reason - we can take it to them. It's just sharing words."
Although the library has had a homebound delivery program in the past, it never had a "functional format and was more informal," said Peggy Ivik, the volunteer coordinator for the library.
Keizer researched other homebound delivery programs throughout the state of Wisconsin to develop a program that would be a good fit for Monroe. The organizers started theirs gradually to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the demand.
"I think we can take it to the next level," Keizer said. "We'll accept people as long as we have the people to help with delivery. If it gets to the point where it gets too much for our delivery people, then we won't be able to accept any more individuals."
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Ivik at the library. Volunteers fill out an application, are interviewed and undergo a background check. The position has also been posted on the Green County Volunteer Network website www.volunteergreencounty.org.
"I think it's exciting we can provide this service," Ivik said. "I think everything we can do as a library to help our community be better is a good deal, and if we can get the word out like we've started to now, I think we'll have a lot of people who are interested."
Karen Meier of Monroe volunteered to deliver books for the program. Meier had seen the importance of accessibility to books while her husband was in the hospital, while volunteering at a job center and working as a home-helper.
"We need to get to individual homes," Meier said. "Especially for those that are very literature-minded and who want to read fiction and nonfiction."
The program will deliver to anyone who lives within the city of Monroe or at Pleasant View Nursing Home who can't make it to the library due to a physical limitation or illness. Bags of books and other materials based on individual preference will be delivered on a monthly basis.
Keizer delivered to a resident at Aster Assisted Living of Monroe who enjoyed reading but couldn't read due to cataracts. She was able to bring him an mp3 player so he could listen to audiobooks with a headset and delivered CDs for him to play on a stereo.
Ellen Hossman, executive director of the Literacy Council of Green County, also signed up to deliver bags of books.
"The more we can share words with people, the better our world's going to become," Hossman said. "It opens up worlds for people, and for those folks that can't get to the library for whatever reason - we can take it to them. It's just sharing words."