Brenda (name has been changed) is a local library patron who loves to read. To her, reading is more than just a way to pass the time. Books are her companion and her way of learning about the world. She enjoys various reading formats including physical books, audiobooks, and the Talking Book Service through the Idaho Commission for Libraries. She has utilized the Inter-Library Loan service to learn about subjects we did not have information on. In the last 20 years, Brenda has read well over 17,000 books! This would not have been possible without The Library’s Homebound Services.

In April of this year, Lynn Hayes, former Outreach and Bookmobile coordinator, retired after nearly 20 years with The Library. Barbara Best now coordinates the newly structured “Homebound Services” program and Michelle Shorman drives the Bookmobile.

Since restructuring the program in April, we now have 65 active Homebound patrons, with more being added every week. As the name implies, Barb visits people who cannot visit The Library or Bookmobile themselves and do not have a family member or friend who can make visits on their behalf. Barb visits ten different care facilities and senior apartment complexes to deliver materials to residents. She also provides short-term services to people convalescing from surgeries or illness.

Homebound patrons have access to virtually all of the materials that the rest of us do; books, audiobooks, playaways (books in mp3 player format), DVDs, CDs, and pamphlets. Barb makes sure they know about our large-print collection and alternative formats for easier reading.

“Cur-rently Home-bound patrons are enjoying: mysteries, historical fiction, westerns, novels, beautiful picture books, music, and movies of all kinds,” Barb observes. “It’s wonderful to hear how appreciative all the patrons are that we offer this service.”

The Bookmobile is another way people can borrow materials when they can’t make it to the Sandpoint or Clark Fork Libraries. Michelle Shorman has assisted with driving the Bookmobile for years, but now she is in charge of driving to all of the weekday locations. Michelle Copher takes the wheel on Saturdays at the Farmers’ Market and as a back-up driver. Tuesday through Saturday, “Booker” visits outlying areas of the East Bonner County Library District. You can find the schedule at ebonnerlibrary.org. Anyone can enjoy a Bookmobile break in their neighborhood – check out books and other materials, pick up holds, return materials checked out at The Library, or ask Michelle for reading recommendations! You can also find the Bookmobile at lots of community events throughout the year.

Homebound Services and the Bookmobile deliver discovery to library patrons, making sure that everyone has access to The Library. If you would like more information on these services, please call us at 208-263-6930.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

The following classes and events take place at the East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar St. unless otherwise indicated. The monthly calendar can be viewed at ebonnerlibrary.org.

• Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Saturdays — Bookmobile at Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Farmin Park. Browse books, movies, and music. Sign up for a library card. Pick up holds (reserved materials) or return items. Chat with Michelle, our friendly bookmobile driver. Bookmobile will be at the Farmer’s Market every Saturday through the season. Information: 208-290-3622.

- Saturday, June 15 — Library booth at Sandemonium, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Forrest Bird Charter School, 614 S. Madison. The Library will have a booth at North Idaho’s comic, sci-fi, and fandom convention. Find out about graphic novels and the expanded YA collection at The Library plus the new virtual reality room and how to use The Library’s 3D printers for your next cosplay. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, June 15, and Saturday, June 22 — Little Mozarts Music Class, 10:30 a.m. Drop-ins welcome. Program runs through Aug. 3. No program on July 6. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays — Explore Virtual Reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, June 17 — Sign Language Class for Kids, 12:30 p.m. Four weeks. Geared to third to sixth graders, but all welcome. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m., in Karen’s Room. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Family Story Time, 11 a.m. in Karen’s Room. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Youth under 10 years old must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering. 3:30-5 p.m. in Community Room A. Role playing game where a battle between wizards employ spells, artifacts, and creatures depicted on individual Magic cards to defeat their opponents. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or email kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, June 19 — The Noise Guy, 2 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. The Noise Guy will teach us to make lots of fun noises. Check him out at noiseguy.com. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, June 19 — Science Café: Local and Global Solutions for Our Planet, 5:30 p.m.in the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation Community Room A. Join a discussion that will cover the need for climate action, local, national and global solutions, and the impacts of CO2-mediating policy. All sides of the discussion will be encouraged, dialoguing about climate change reality, urgency, and solutions. Presenter and moderator Dr. Gabrielle Duebendorfer is a naturopathic physician who has been very concerned about the health impacts of climate change and has founded the Sandpoint Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby in early 2017. Her passion is to advocate for climate change action so that her grandkids and patients will have a future in a healthy environment. Information: 208-265-2665.

- Information, June 19 — The Noise Guy, 6 p.m. in the Inland NW Community Foundation Community Room B. The Noise Guy will teach us to make lots of fun noises. Check him out at noiseguy.com. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Thursday, June 20 — Thursdays in the Garden,10 a.m. in The Library Garden. Learn about planting, growing, and harvesting. This week’s project is “Marker Stones.” Label your garden rows with artistic stones! Geared to ages 6-9 and families. Learn how to qualify for a metal watering can! Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, June 22 — Library Garden workday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Library garden, 1406 Cedar St. The Library is building a new community educational garden and we need your help! Come help get this project to take root! Information: Mike Bauer, 208-265-2665.

- Teen Lounge — A space for teens, seventh through twelfth grade (any school or homeschool). Open weekly during summer: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed 1-2 p.m. Teen Lounge will be closed July 3-14. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org; or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. StoryWalk books will be updated at various times during the summer with titles based on the 2019 Summer Reading theme, “Universe of Stories.” Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.