By Amy Fluno, Volunteer Center Coordinator
Driving to the library and checking out your favorite books are something we readers take for granted. There are many in our community who love to read but can’t make it to the library.
This is where some wonderful volunteers come in and bring those books to those in our area who do not have transportation.
The library has been offering this service for over 15 years, said Eric Norton, head of adult services at the library.
“Volunteers bring pre-selected collections of 50 books each to 11 senior centers in town. These collections rotate between the centers, with me selecting the collections and the library staff checking them in and out,” Norton said.
Volunteers Marlene Fulton, Janee Romatowski, Jim Starsser, Pete Schneider and Clara Kubisiak all take time out of their busy schedules to deliver books to local nursing homes and home-bound patrons.
When I asked why they do it they all said that it is such a great program and they enjoy seeing how happy the patrons are. Clara Kubisiak delivers books to homebound individuals once a week. She currently has four homes that she goes to.
“I like to chat with the patrons and get to know them,” she said.
Janee Romatowski who loves to read herself said, “Some of the patrons are waiting for me when I get there to see what new books I have brought for them this time.”
She has been volunteering at the library for six years and loves helping others who are unable to get the books on their own.
Marlene Fulton started by helping a friend deliver books to a nursing home and now has three on her monthly route.
“I worked as a nurse at a nursing home so it is nice to be working with the elderly again” she said.
Jim Strasser and Pete Schneider also deliver to nursing homes in the community on a monthly basis. Jim has been volunteering at the library for more than 10 years. He started out helping with the new system, shelving books and now delivering to the elderly.
“It is a welcomed program for those who can’t get out on their own,” he said.
As you can see, these volunteers use their love of books to help others in our community who are unable to get to the library themselves. This is a great program in our area that I did not know existed. A big thanks goes out to these great volunteers and the way they share their love of reading with others.
The Volunteer Spotlight is a monthly feature. If your non-profit organization has an outstanding volunteer, or group of volunteers, and would like to make a nomination, please call United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center at 715-421-0390.
Amy Fluno is the United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center coordinator.
McMillan Library Outreach Program Volunteers
Names: Marlene Fulton, Janee Romatowski, Jim Strasser, Pete Schneider and Clara Kubisiak
Nominating Agency: Eric Norton, McMillan Library
How to volunteer at McMillan Library: Call Amy at Volunteer Center 715-421-0390 or email amy@uwiw.org
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