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Reading is a part of a daily routine for many people. But for some, being homebound or having a physical disability can make getting your hands on books difficult. Through the program Walking Books, the Springfield-Greene County Library District provides books to Greene County residents who wouldn’t otherwise have access to them. KSMU’s Adam Murphy tells us the story of one woman who was given a new chance to read with the library’s program.
Judy Stirewalt grew up surrounded by books and siblings.
“I was the next to the youngest child in a family of 13. I figured out as I got older how my mother kept us so well controlled. She taught us all, young, to read. Not only did we read, but she read to us. There was a constant novel or story read to the children,” said Stirewalt.
Reading has always been a huge part of Judy’s life. She served as a teacher for several decades, starting in a one room schoolhouse near Joplin and eventually teaching in seven different states and two universities.
Her love of reading was threatened, though, in 1990 when an accident cost her her vision.
“I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and other debilitating diseases. And, when I came home from the hospital and the blind school, it was like my world had been turned upside down,” she said.After her accident, she donated all her books.
Now, a volunteer brings Judy three bags full of audio books each month through the Walking Books Program. It is a service offered by the Springfield-Greene County Library. Residents who are homebound, physically handicapped, legally blind, and elderly are eligible to have books delivered to their homes.
The program has over 270 active participants who can make requests for certain books. Nancy Caplinger has been volunteering with the program for 18 years.
“If an individual likes murder mysteries, that is what they get. If they like nature books, that is what they get. And there is also a request list, where you can request a specific author or specific kind of book,” said Caplinger.
The program is staffed by 23 volunteers like Caplinger who deliver the books, but the library does need additional volunteers to meet the demand for their program. For more information on volunteering or participating in the program you can call 883-6112
For KSMU News, I’m Adam Murphy.
