Our recipe for enjoyment: take a group of avid readers who like sharing stories, discussing them and listening to each other, arrange transportation to and from a welcoming environment at the library, add in a librarian who loves meeting with the group, serve tea and cookies and you have a successful TAPS Book Club. Team Leader Pat Tomasic who has been leading the Club for the past few years points to the steady attendance numbers as a pretty good indication of this club’s value.
Originally housed at the previous TAPS location at the Nilsson Centre, and started by the then Head Librarian, Ann Day, the weekly Club now meets at the Creston Valley Public Library Meeting Room. This has been a popular program since its inception, with volunteers and TAPS and library staff participating. “Meeting at the library offers several advantages, not the least of which is the proximity of books, movies and books on tape to choose from and it’s a short hop to the shelves” said Pat.
It’s an engaging session every week, each person chooses a book. They take turns explaining the story and how it affected them. From there, discussions or questions arise. If they are ready to do so and there’s time, everyone takes turns.” One of the long time participants, Helen McMichael, is heralded by the group as adding a dimension to their experience through sharing her own writings, “some of her stories are even better than the books we read”.
In the comfortable library meeting room surrounded by local art, I recently joined the gathering. I was struck by the informality and congeniality and the diversity of interests, depth of questions and space for each person to contribute. They asked probing questions about the topic or writing style or perhaps to discover the experience of the person reporting on a reading. Under Pat’s gentle facilitation she may introduce aspects of style to expand the discussions, such as identifying whether the story is plot driven or character driven.
When I asked the group individually what the weekly Club meant to them and why they participated, they identified the social aspect and more specifically commented: “it’s because of these ladies, that’s why I keep coming, the company, sometimes I don’t have a book to report on, but I love coming here for the social interaction, I feel comfortable and happy, getting to know each other and we’re compatible”.
In addition to the community and social aspect, participants reported: “I like being inspired to read new authors”, “I love books and talking about them”, “I enjoy presenting authors that I like but that others may not have heard of”, “I like being exposed to topics I may not have thought to read about”, “I love listening to the reports and discussions”. They talked about it being about more than just books as they also bring articles, review audio books and movies in the discussions. Other benefits mentioned were that they like having their curiosity stimulated, being open to each other and being able to talk about their life experiences that relate to the readings.
We are so fortunate to have the Creston Valley Public Library with all its services and community driven leadership. On behalf of Valley Community Services and the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors, we want to thank the Library Board, Chief Librarian Aaron Francis, the staff and Pat Tomasic for helping us provide this program for our seniors.
Originally housed at the previous TAPS location at the Nilsson Centre, and started by the then Head Librarian, Ann Day, the weekly Club now meets at the Creston Valley Public Library Meeting Room. This has been a popular program since its inception, with volunteers and TAPS and library staff participating. “Meeting at the library offers several advantages, not the least of which is the proximity of books, movies and books on tape to choose from and it’s a short hop to the shelves” said Pat.
It’s an engaging session every week, each person chooses a book. They take turns explaining the story and how it affected them. From there, discussions or questions arise. If they are ready to do so and there’s time, everyone takes turns.” One of the long time participants, Helen McMichael, is heralded by the group as adding a dimension to their experience through sharing her own writings, “some of her stories are even better than the books we read”.
In the comfortable library meeting room surrounded by local art, I recently joined the gathering. I was struck by the informality and congeniality and the diversity of interests, depth of questions and space for each person to contribute. They asked probing questions about the topic or writing style or perhaps to discover the experience of the person reporting on a reading. Under Pat’s gentle facilitation she may introduce aspects of style to expand the discussions, such as identifying whether the story is plot driven or character driven.
When I asked the group individually what the weekly Club meant to them and why they participated, they identified the social aspect and more specifically commented: “it’s because of these ladies, that’s why I keep coming, the company, sometimes I don’t have a book to report on, but I love coming here for the social interaction, I feel comfortable and happy, getting to know each other and we’re compatible”.
In addition to the community and social aspect, participants reported: “I like being inspired to read new authors”, “I love books and talking about them”, “I enjoy presenting authors that I like but that others may not have heard of”, “I like being exposed to topics I may not have thought to read about”, “I love listening to the reports and discussions”. They talked about it being about more than just books as they also bring articles, review audio books and movies in the discussions. Other benefits mentioned were that they like having their curiosity stimulated, being open to each other and being able to talk about their life experiences that relate to the readings.
We are so fortunate to have the Creston Valley Public Library with all its services and community driven leadership. On behalf of Valley Community Services and the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors, we want to thank the Library Board, Chief Librarian Aaron Francis, the staff and Pat Tomasic for helping us provide this program for our seniors.
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