When Outreach Librarian Regina Kochmaruk delivered library materials to the YWCA Adult Day Center in Hanover Township in November, she was reminded of her own grandmother who had suffered from Alzheimer’s, and immediately thought about offering library programming created specifically for this special population of seniors living with memory impairment. Regina wanted to offer an adult storytime session that would foster conversation and reminiscing while using appropriate picture books and extension activities.
She is calling this new outreach program The Next Chapter: A Storytime for Seniors. Yvonne Toth, the center director welcomed the idea and the first program took place on December 12th. About 25 seniors attended the read aloud of The Carpenter’s Gift: A Christmas Tale About the Rockefeller Center Tree. Afterward, they made paper tree chains – similar to the favorite 1950s pastime of making paper-dolls. Regina hopes to incorporate facets of the nationally-recognized Tales and Travel Memories into future programming. The next session will be offered on January 15th.