Expanded community outreach program brings the library to homes in CSL

“We have as one of our missions to go outside library walls to where the people are,” said Tanya Abramovitch, Director of the library. “We want to be active players in Côte Saint-Luc, and empower residents to make a difference in other people’s lives.”

The library’s Adult Volunteer Program has brought the library to more than 180 seniors living in residences across the city. The first initiative was launched at the Manoir Montefiore in 2007, where volunteers had already been making regular shut-in deliveries to some of the residents. Now library volunteers visit Le Waldorf and B’Nai Brith House and lead group discussions on current affairs as part of the Your Opinion Please program. “We really appreciate the services that Côte Saint-Luc provides,” said Eileen Katz, Executive Director of B’Nai Brith House. “Our book review program uses the book kits from the library. Residents are able to borrow the book, which is then followed by a discussion group. Residents also enjoy the Your Opinion Please program in which a library volunteer brings interesting news articles for the group to discuss. There is a lot of laughter. The residents love it.”

The expansion of the community outreach program has helped increase the number of volunteers. For instance, the number of volunteer drivers for the shut-in book delivery service increased by 50 percent in the past year and the service will soon expand to five days a week. In 2007, volunteers donated 1,888 hours. Delivery of books is only part of the story of community outreach in Côte Saint-Luc. The library has created new ways for its residents to volunteer to help fellow residents including peer tutoring, computer buddies, general helpers and residence visits in the community. “The library volunteers are Côte Saint-Luc residents and range in age from teen to senior,” Mayor Anthony Housefather said. “They take pride in being able to contribute to their community in such a profoundly meaningful way. They bring not only knowledge and information to the seniors who attend these programs, but also the human interaction, which they miss by no longer being able to come to the library. A library volunteer even gives computer lessons at the Manoir Montefiore.”

The library has also expanded its reach among seniors and housebound residents through a partnership with the CSSS Cavendish Health and Social Services Centre. University students in the field complete required training hours at the CSSS by delivering library material and spending some time with people from the community who have become isolated in their homes. “Great communities are made when people care about their neighbours and their environment,” said Councillor Steven Erdelyi, the council member responsible for the library. “It’s not enough to think about doing something—you have to go out and do it. I am very proud of this library initiative and I invite residents interested in volunteering to call the library today.”

Residents can learn more about volunteering by calling the library’s Community Outreach Coordinator Gloria Caplan at 514-485-6900, ext. 4207.

The Adult Volunteer Program was organized by Adult Services Manager Sarah Topey in 2007 with a goal of getting the community involved in the library, affording them opportunities to give back to a place that meant so much in their hearts and minds. The program has been so successful that it grew into a new Community Outreach Program headed by Gloria Caplan. The Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library is located at 5851 Cavendish Blvd. and is open from 10am to 10pm every day. For more information, call the library at 514-485-6900 or visit www.elcslpl.org.