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The Friends offer the Book Friends and the Book Buddies. The Buddies program delivers books to homebound residents and the Friends read to residents in memory care facilities. Both programs need more volunteers, but mostly the Buddies.
“I have also talked to two churches for Book Buddies and to Olive Branch Senior Center,” said Monica Fallon, Buddies program coordinator, during the friends of the Sun City Libraries Oct. 10 board meeting. “But at the moment we have no clients or drivers.”
Those who want to receive books or to volunteer for the program can call 623-977-7246.
The Book Friends previously read only to Woodmark, 17207 N. Boswell Blvd., residents. But the program gained such popularity that requests were made to add other locations. Program officials earlier this year added the Inn at the Amethyst, 18172 N. 91st Ave., Peoria.
Charlotte Klose continues to lead readers at the Woodmark and Linda McKnight, a new member to the Friends of the Libraries board, leads readers at the Inn at the Amehtyst.
“In addition, she also reads at the Woodmark,” Ms. Klose, Book Friends program coordintaor, said.
The Friends program now has 20 readers, 10 for each facility.
“I am excited to be on this board,” Ms. McKnight said.
The Book Friends read to residents at the selected facilities every day, according to Ms. Klose.
“The residents really love this program and look forward to when we come to read,” she said.
She added that all readers will meet and share ideas about the program and any future plans.
In addition to Ms. McKnight, Irene Mathonsen was added to the Friends of the Libraries board.
“I am happy to be here,” she said. “I have enjoyed the two book programs I have been in.”
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