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We asked our Home Delivery volunteers why they volunteer

Now that Home Delivery is back, we’d like to thank our fantastic volunteers who make our program possible. Before the pandemic hit, we asked our volunteers to tell us why they volunteered. Here’s what they had to say.

Why do you volunteer with the Menomonee Falls Public Library Home Delivery Program?

I sought to be a volunteer for several reasons.  I read on the library website about the HD program and thought that it would be a lovely gift to give someone who could no longer get out to the library. Going to the library has been part of my life since I was a young girl and I know how much I would miss having books to read if I could no longer drive.  I also thought it would be a good opportunity for me to make new friends.  The HD program is very rewarding for the recipient as well as the volunteer.  The lady that I deliver to has truly become my friend.  She and I look forward to our visits. Plus I have made the acquaintance of several very nice library staff who are some of the most helpful people I have ever met!

— Barb Wolff

I volunteer with homebound delivery for a few reasons. I love libraries and believe that everyone should have access to them. I also want my son to interact with different populations as well as promote the idea that reading is fun for everyone, no matter how young or old, so he often helps with delivery.

My favorite part is getting to make a good new friend. Learning about each other’s’ interests and discussing authors with someone from another generation is enlightening!

I remember how lonely my own grandpa could get in a retirement community and helping to remove that loneliness for anyone is a good idea. Menomonee Falls is a community, and great communities foster connections all throughout.

— Johnathon Neist

After my retirement I was looking for a way to give back to my community. I am an avid reader and love my local library! I applied to be a volunteer and was thrilled to be selected as a Home Delivery volunteer! What a great opportunity to visit others that have a love for books as well but just can’t get to the library!   

I really look forward to visiting my home delivery patrons! My ladies are awesome! We enjoy our time together chatting about a variety of topics; including books!

I did not know our library offered this service to homebound patrons. My home delivery recipients are so very grateful for the opportunity to continue getting library materials when they no longer are able to do for themselves. I tell them the gratitude goes both ways; I love visiting with them!  

— Joyce

I saw an article in one of the library’s newsletters and it sounded interesting. I love people and helping whenever I can—I thought it sounded like a great program.  Knowing how much I love to read, I see how important it is to the patrons. A patron might not have family in the area or no family at all—so a delivery from the library is so welcomed. I enjoy talking with the patrons and they are such an inspiration. One of my patrons has a book with her all the time and this is what she shared with me

“When you have a book, you always have a friend with you”

— Judy Kehoss

I like helping people and this is a very easy way to do it. Talking with the patrons and learning about them. It provides them with entertainment, information, music, and other media they wouldn’t have access to because of their lack of ability to come and go as they please. Also, for those that enjoy personal interactions, new friendships can be made (this can also benefit the volunteer!). 

— Karin G.

I volunteer because I want to spread the joy of reading. I enjoy making new friends! Reading works the mind and helps pass the time. 

— Katrina

I enjoy being a volunteer with the library’s home-delivery program because it is a convenient and rewarding way to serve the community:  convenient because I visit the library regularly and rewarding because I have met some pretty nice people.

It is a relatively simple process.  I deliver library materials to three individuals every month and return their materials from the previous month.

I call them my library ladies.  When I see each of them we talk.  We learn about each other.  Our families.  Our lives.  We yak.  We laugh.  We talk some more.  We always find something fun to share with each other.  Something that we have in common.  Something to cherish for a lifetime.  They have become my friends and I have become theirs.  Sometimes we even talk about the books.  Each month when I leave to return to the library I always hope that one day someone will do the same for me.

— Kelly

I think it is important to give back to our community, and there are so many ways to do that.  I have always enjoyed talking with older people ever since I was a kid.  I was blessed with four grandparents who all lived into their eighties and nineties, along with aunts and uncles who lived long lives as well.  Additionally, I like reading and truly appreciate the value of a good library in one’s community.   So, there is no better match than this—to deliver books to older people who cannot get to the library.  I look forward to meeting with my patrons each month.  It is good conversation and good fellowship.  What a blessing!

My mom is 95 years old and is a voracious reader.  She reads at least three books per week.  And all of her books come from the Menomonee Falls Library.  So, various members of her family (my wife, my sister-in-law, myself) take her to the library weekly to check out new books. 

— Jim Waters

I volunteer to make a difference is someone’s life. I enjoy the interaction—spending time with them. For those who can not get out it gives them the opportunity to have the benefit of what the library has to offer, but most of all there are so many people that can go for days having no contact, from friends or family—outside world, so in a way we become part of their family.

— Patty Strack

I volunteer for the home delivery program because it provides the reading & media materials to people who are unable to get to the library. What I enjoy most about this service is the added enrichment in my life of meeting some delightful people, chatting and also sharing with them my love of books, etc. The home delivery program benefits our homebound by enriching their life with additional socialization and the pleasure of books and other media available to me and other independent library patrons.    

— Anne

It’s no understatement to say that I love to read.  I was quite literally the kid who came to the dinner and supper tables with her nose in a book, who put the book down long enough to eat and then, when finished, picked up the book when I left the table.  I can’ even begin to imagine not being able to go to the library and check out books.  That’s why I volunteer—to bring books to those who can’t get the books for themselves.  

Having access to books helps keep a mind active, helps entertain and inform, gives a person enjoyment in life.  Ignites the imagination!

— Rhonda Flory

It gives me great pleasure to be able to bring books to those unable to get to the library.

Both my late husband and I were  readers from childhood on. To not have access to books would be a great loss to quality of life. As we age, there are so many tasks we are no longer physically able to do. By home delivering books to patrons, because it’s something they can do, it helps them mentally.

Visiting with them and sharing our life events is beneficial for both. Many have very interesting stories to share about their lives! 

— Bernice Peterson

I have doing home deliveries for some time now.  I’ve met so many patrons that have become good friends.  While talking about their choice of books, I’ve expanded my interests.  These people have so much knowledge to share and I gladly listen.

— Jan

I think the library materials give our home bound patrons a way to pursue their passions in a different way. For the movie buff that can no longer go to the movies, a DVD movie can be enjoyed. For someone that can no longer hunt and fish like they used, magazines on those subjects can help them recall memories of their favorite days outdoors. And for patrons with vision problems, books in Playaway and CD formats help them continue with one of their favorite hobbies.  

As a Library Home Delivery volunteer, it’s fun to engage with a fellow book lover. Conversations range from books, family, history of Menomonee Falls, whatever. It’s just fun being a volunteer. 

— Linda

If you’d like to be a home delivery volunteer, please contact Outreach Services, at 262-532-8931.