Reading Program will cater to area’s shut-ins, seniors

Alicia Boisson
South Peace News

Not being able to do something you love because you are disabled can be tough. But, luckily, the High Prairie Municipal Library is making sure this isn’t the case for those who love to read. Janet Porter, assistant librarian-programming, says the program they offer to shut-ins is something anyone with disabilities should take advantage of. “This is an outreach to seniors or people with disabilities who can’t otherwise get to the library,” says Porter. “We are willing to bring them the books they are interested in reading.” Once a week the library staff and volunteers will bring books to those who order them, as well as pick up returns. “I went to the lodge (for instance) and spoke to a few seniors to find out what they liked to read, or who their favorite authors are. Now when I go to the lodge once a week I will bring a collection of books they can choose from or the books they request,” says Porter, adding this a program that has been offered by the library for some time. “We are even willing to visit people at home. We are trying to create more awareness about the program.” The intellectual stimulation people get from reading is what makes the program worthwhile, says Porter. “A lot of people have read their whole lives and this shouldn’t stop just because they can’t get to the library.” The library also carries movies, books on tape and large print novels. One avid library user, Anne Olexak, says she uses the program because she just loves to read. “I sometimes have 3-4 books on the go at a time and I go right through them” says Olexak, who likes adventure, or history novels or anything written by Danielle Steel or Nora Roberts. “I have always loved to read, and I love the whole library.” She says the program is a great opportunity for all those who love to read. “There are a lot of things interesting if people would show interest. It is healthy for brain and is a lovely past time instead of sleeping.” The latest book Olexak read by Danielle Steel, Toxic Bachelors, is a book she almost read twice. “It’s about these men who travel around the world and I learned so much about other cultures, it was really interesting,” says Olexak. Olexak started reading when she first moved to Canada from Europe to learn English. “I started reading Little Black Sambo books, to learn the language. Before this I had never seen anyone from Africa before, I had heard about them but never seen them.”

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