The Homebound
Program Leadership
Stacie Anderson is half of the Library’s
Homebound Program leadership, choosing
books and material for those who are
unable to come to the Library. She also
schedules programs on travel and the
arts. Travel programming comes naturally
to Stacie. Before becoming a librarian
(MLS, Indiana
University),
she lived and
worked at the
bottom of the
Grand Canyon
and in the
backcountry of
Alaska’s Denali
National Forest.
She was an
Education
Coordinator for
Elderhostel in
Arizona and
has hiked in the Himalayas.
When she isn’t providing homebound
service, developing programs, or helping
at the Reference Desk, Stacie manages
the Library’s collection of languages,
math and science, literature, history,
biography, and travel.
Library Associate Caitlin FitzGordon is
a graduate of SHHS (Class of ‘86). After
receiving a degree in English Literature
from the University of Wisconsin, she lived
and worked in
New York City
until returning
to Shaker with
her growing
family. Caitlin
selects
titles for the
Library’s New
and Notable,
Staff Favorites,
and Childbirth
and Parenting
eNewsletters.
In addition to
her work at the Reference Desk, Caitlin
works as a childbirth educator, doula,
and life coach.
WWW.SHAKER.LIFE | FALL 2018 17
and sign up for 45-minute appointments on
Medicare Review with an OSHIIP representative
at Main Library. Twice a week in February and March, AARP volunteers offer free tax
preparation for seniors.
This fall in partnership with the City, the Library will host a Senior Housing Fair to
help residents consider their options in Shaker. A variety of vendors and speakers from
housing and service groups will be available to help seniors and their families weigh their
options, from apartment living, to senior residences, to adapting their current residences
to make them more accessible.
The Library reaches beyond its walls to engage seniors living in senior residences and
nursing homes. Librarians Pam Tidwell and Rachel Dinga give book talks at both Library
Court Apartments and Campbell Court as well as provide Library collections in both
buildings. Twice a month, Library Associate Virginia Schoelch meets with residents of
the Woodlands Assisted Living Center, sharing stories and puzzles and bringing in guests
to perform music, lead oral history projects, or teach chair yoga. She even helped the
group create their own book, Wise Old Sayings of the Woodlands.
Stacie Anderson and Caitlin FitzGordon manage the Library’s Homebound Program,
which includes a team of volunteers who deliver books and other material to homebound
seniors. When a homebound senior signs up for the program, Stacie or Caitlin interview
them about their favorite genres or authors to get a sense of their reading and listening
preferences. Then they select materials to be delivered by a volunteer who picks them up
and returns them to the Library.
“Having someone take the time to help me has been a blessing. I can’t say enough
about it,” says resident Deidre Wingfield. Resident Jane Arrington’s first reaction was
to smile and say, “I’m a reader, and, having been disabled for nearly a year with leg
problems, I categorically can say this program gives excellent service to its customers
under the direction of Stacie Anderson and her volunteers. I do appreciate my personal
volunteer Lynda Thomas, who walks down my hallway singing while carrying books to
last me for a month.”
The Library welcomes new volunteers and new homebound seniors to the Homebound
Program. To register or volunteer for the program, call 216-991-2030 x 2339. SL
Genealogy:
9:30 am-1 pm
Saturdays
October 27 and
November 24
at Main Library.
Medicare Checkup:
11 am-12:30 pm
Wednesday,
October 10
at Main Library;
advance registration
is recommended.
Medicare
Counseling
& Registration:
Tuesday, October 23
at Main Library;
call 216-991-2030 to
register for half-hour
appointments.
Senior
Housing Fair:
2-4:30 pm
Wednesday,
October 24
at Main Library.
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