Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/7/2022
SOUTHWICK— In this day and age, nearly everything can be delivered to your home, from groceries to electronics, clothing and every necessity imaginable. Most are delivered to your doorstep by strangers, but the Southwick Public Library makes book deliveries a personal experience.
Richard Caruso and Tony Cioffi volunteer their time to deliver the world to Southwick residents in the form of books.
The Books on the Go program began in 2015 to reach Southwick residents who wanted to use the library’s services but were unable to visit in person, said Library Director Lynn Blair.
“Any Southwick resident who is homebound, either permanently or for a temporary reason, is welcome to use the service,” she said.
While a delivery service for library books is not all that unusual, what makes Southwick’s program special is Caruso and Cioffi.
“They both have forged great relationships with the patrons we deliver to. Our patrons are always excited to know that they are coming with new items and enjoy chatting with them,” said Blair.
Both drivers are retired — Cioffi was a quality engineer for the federal government and Caruso worked as a corporate chief financial officer in charge of accounting and finance — and enjoy volunteering and visiting patrons at home.
“I feel I’m doing something positive for others. It also gives Tony and I a chance to catch up with each other,” said Caruso.
“I feel it is self-rewarding to help others. Both of us enjoy talking to people,” added Cioffi. “I feel like we make a real connection with the people. They know our names and genuinely seem glad to see us.”
Blair said Reference Librarian Paul McKenna is a “key component” to the program.
“He is the one who calls the participants every three weeks and selects items for them based on their preferences,” she said.
McKenna said the program allows the library to go out into the community.
“What I find enjoyable about the Books on the Go program is the fact that we as a library are connecting those individuals who are unable to come to the library in person for whatever reason,” said McKenna. “This service highlights the fact that we are reaching out to new populations of people and providing them with reading materials that may make their lives more connected with the greater community.”
Ciaffo and Caruso said the majority of the patrons they deliver to are older adults.
“We deliver primarily to senior citizens,” said Caruso. “In some instances, we drop off books at a facility and we don’t see the people that are receiving the library materials. When we do deliver to a resident, we are greeted with a smile. We will chat with them to see how their day is going, they will tell us about their family and talk about the books they read.”
Both volunteers said they hope more residents will use the service.
“I believe the library should be a resource for everyone in the community. Books on the Go provides materials from the library to those that may be unable to get to the library because of physical limitations, whether they be short term or long term,” Caruso said.
Blair said borrowers have to follow certain library limits, such as taking out no more than 10 DVDs at one time.
“Most participants get 3-4 books each delivery, and some request DVDs and audiobooks,” she said.
Blair touted the program and said it “wouldn’t be what it is without the dedication of our drivers and the attention to detail from Paul McKenna. Patrons are not only excited to see new items arrive, but they’re excited to see friendly faces who take the time to say hello and chat with them.”
For more information about the program or to sign up, call 569-1221.
Blair noted that beginning in January, the Southwick Library will also be making its popular “Pop-Up Library” a regular feature at the Southwick Village. Every other month beginning in January, the first Wednesday will be a Pop-Up Library session in the Southwick Village’s Cafe from 10 a.m. to noon. Anyone can drop in to check out a book or audiobook, or sign up for a library card.