The Friends of the Honey Brook Community Library have made it their mission to ensure that books are accessible to readers of all ages by placing free library boxes in the community and providing books to hospital patients, senior citizens and people in need.
According to Mary Ann Fritsky, president of the group, the Friends have placed a Free Sharing Library Box at Historic Poole Forge, 1940 Main St. (Route 23), Narvon. The Friends have also placed a bookshelf at the laundromat located at Eby's General Store, 3801 Horseshoe Pike (Route 322), Honey Brook.
At both locations, people may borrow a book to enjoy and then return it, or they make keep the book as their own. "They can take the books; they don't have to bring them back," Fritsky said. "We provide children's books, teenager books and books for adults."
Fritsky noted that, sadly, two other Free Sharing Library Boxes were vandalized, including the one located on Pequea Avenue in Honey Brook Borough, as well as the one located on the Born Learning Trail in the James A. Umble Memorial Park in Honey Brook Township. "Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily suspend stocking books at the two locations due to continued vandalism," she stated. "We will need to discuss our options."
Fritsky added that the Friends also provide books to patients at Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville and to clients of the Honey Brook Food Pantry.
Fritsky learned about the need for additional books for patients at Brandywine Hospital, where she volunteers weekly in the hospital's surgical waiting room. "When I volunteer, I bring books there," she explained. "(Volunteers) go around with a little cart with books and magazines, and they bring them into the patients' rooms."
Additional books, including large print books, are given to the Brandywine Hospital Senior Group. The books are distributed during the group's monthly birthday parties.
The provided books come from community donations, as well as titles that are gleaned from the library's collection. "When they clear the shelves periodically, they give the books to (the Friends) and we go through them and decide which ones to donate," Fritsky explained.
She said that books are provided to the Honey Brook Food Pantry as part of a partnership between the two organizations. "The library has a basket, and people put food staples in there that (someone from the pantry) comes and picks up. We put books in there (as well)," Fritsky noted.
Fritsky credited members of the reading community who donate enough books to make the programs possible. "It is a good thing because we don't pay anything for the books coming in and we're always looking for opportunities to be of service," she said. "Books are going all over the place. Children's books go fast, because children love their books. They read them and re-read them."
Despite technological developments, Fritsky added that people still enjoy reading actual books. "Even with (e-readers) and the internet, people are still buying books and reading them," she said.
In addition to distributing books and holding seasonal book sales, the Friends maintain the library's Janice Shultz Book Boutique, which is open during library hours. The boutique, which offers used books for sale, is named for former Friends president Jan Shultz.
The Honey Brook Community Library is located at 687 Compass Road (Route 10), Honey Brook. For more information about the Friends group and other library activities, readers may call 610-273-3303 or email Jennifer Spade, library director, at jspade@ccls.org.
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