Outreach book finds

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, July 2019; written by Rebecca Brown.

When one of our elderly patrons became unable to make it down her steep set of Ketchikan stairs, she was afraid she might have to abandon trips to the Ketchikan Public Library.

But with Ketchikan Public Library’s Outreach Services, library materials are still accessible! For the past several years, she’s had a stable stream of books, audiobooks, music and films that are gladly bussed up her staircase.

Here are just some of my book missions that some of Ketchikan’s outreach patrons have sent me upon this summer – truly, it’s a neat way to examine the collection!

• One patron in her mid-70s is intently studying up on the Vietnamese language and culture – a place they have been invited to go next year! One of their favorite books has been “Passage to Vietnam: Through the Eyes of 70 Photographers,” by Rick Smolan.

• Another patron whose childhood was heavily influenced by their Appalachian upbringing is engrossed in homesteading and living off the grid. They adore receiving volumes from the library’s expansive “Foxfire” series. A huge array of topics await, including home cures, log cabin care, shoemaking, ironmaking, blacksmithing, hide tanning, gardening and much more.

• Two other patrons are keenly interested in the library’s movies. One of them really likes thrillers and documentaries but nothing that is graphic in any way (or related to England). A recent favorite? “Little House on the Prairie,” which is in the Children’s Library collection.

• One of my newest patrons has been relishing in the library’s Playaways, which are the newest way to listen to audiobooks. Rather than bunches of CDs to carefully avoid scratching, you are given the entire audiobook on a small plastic box that can go anywhere with you. All you need to provide are your own earphones, one Triple A battery and (if you don’t want to use headphones) a common cable to connect to your external speakers.

But bringing books to homebound Ketchikan residents is just one part of my job! This past Wednesday, I had the joy of visiting the folks at the Saxman-Ketchikan Senior Center. Twice a month, I bring them reading materials, read the Ketchikan Daily News aloud and tell them about that day in history. This week, it was Cousin’s Day – so we were joined by special guests Rhonda, Katie and Emily Bolling (my cousins!) and talked about a fabulous book that I’m eating up right now called, “Hissing Cousins: The Untold Story of Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth.”

Most all of us know First Lady Eleanor, but Alice (Theodore Roosevelt’s oldest daughter) was equally notorious in those days for her hard-charging, nose-thumbing ways. They came to almost loathe each other! And how’s this? As children nearly the same age, Alice and Eleanor were raised alongside one another as dear, heartfelt cousins. In fact, Alice introduced Eleanor to FDR!

On Thursdays, I have been terrifically enjoying reading to the seniors at Rendezvous Senior Day Services. We’ve been soaking up the “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” by C.S. Lewis. I had forgotten how deliciously conversational the story of Lucy, Susan, Peter and Edmund is written! Definitely a great read aloud, if you’re looking for one.