Visits with Seniors/Volunteers

[Nina Gorden]

Hey all, 

I'm new here to the Listserve, my name is Nina and I am the Home Delivery Coordinator at the Bloomington Public Library.  I am wanting to know if anyone has had any programs where volunteers come to read to individuals who can't get out of their homes?  What does it look like for you?  What challenges do you find?  What would you recommend to improve the experience?  Or does anyone have ideas on how to reduce social isolation for homebound individuals?  I have some ideas about pen pals between one another.  And trying to work with a local elementary school on an adopt a grandparent type of idea.  

Kind Regards, 

Nina Gorden (She/Her/Hers)

Home Delivery Coordinator 

Bloomington Public Library

309-590-6117

“So many books, so little time.”
― Frank Zappa

[hwaterman]

We used to have volunteers visit individuals in their homes, but the vetting and matching process took us a lot of time. Also, we couldn't guarantee consistency or that they would represent the library accurately in these uncertain times. I would love to hear ideas from others and find a way to make volunteers work in our services again. Could you share more about your pen pal and adopt a grandparent ideas?

Thanks for this conversation!