Volunteer Interview: by Anne Weirich, Secretary, BLLA
With Cynthia Mathison, Volunteer
Accessibility – from the roots “access” and “able” (ible)
Access:
- To obtain or make use or something
Able:
- Having sufficient freedom, opportunity, skill, or resources to do something
I soon learned that Cynthia had a lot to say about accessibility. “When it comes to the Library there’s a lot more to accessibility than getting into the building.”
For example, Cynthia explained, items on the top and bottom shelves can be difficult to browse.
“So, our librarians have instituted ‘Face Out’ display areas throughout the Library. This helps people look at books and DVDs they might not reach for. Many of us patrons come in and don’t know what we want to read. Notice the next time you’re in that there are many front facing books so that people can get a glimpse of what’s on the shelf. This is helpful in our non-fiction (Dewey Decimal System) section in particular. (As a volunteer shelver I do keep a cheat sheet of the Dewey System in my pocket.)
Looking at the definition above accessibility is having the ability to obtain or make use of something. So, the BLL has installed its “Library of Things.” Here, a croquet set, a badminton set, a sewing machine, a metal detector, a karaoke machine and so much more can be borrowed, just like a book.”
Respect for accessibility is also a facet of protecting the privacy of library patrons. While Cynthia has a broad range of experience in volunteering at BLL, she pointed out that only paid staff actually check out materials. This protects patrons’ privacy.
There is now, also, a section in the BLL where books and materials on more private or sensitive issues can be borrowed without actually checking them out with a library card. The subjects here range from mental health, addiction, abuse, to human sexuality. Here too, is information regarding services and resources available locally for help with many issues faced by today’s Patrons.
Another new section at BLL that enhances accessibility is the Memory Unit. These shelves have memory games, puzzles and so importantly information about local resources for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
After listing these kinds of accessibility, Cynthia said, “It’s amazing to me how our BLL Staff brings such forward thinking experience, knowledge and innovation to the BLL. They really strive to keep our patrons engaged.”
Cynthia has been a volunteer at the BLL since 2012 and served two terms on the BLL Association Board. She’s served BLL when volunteers did everything from painting the foundation, to sopping up flooding in the basement. She’s hosted Sunday concerts, promoted membership in the BLL Association, and cleared up a backed up men’s room (during one such concert.) Cynthia helped organize the Boy Scouts who used to help set up BLL’s holiday decorations and searched the whole library for a missing Scout (who turned out to be already home). She’s sorted and cashiered at the summertime book sale and watched with delight as so many children walked away with armloads of books. She’s shelved and shifted more books than she can count.
When asked why she thought volunteering at the BLL sounded like a good idea after she first retired, Cynthia said with a big smile, “Well, first of all, books don’t talk back. I figured I could get along in a place filled with books. (All kidding aside, you know, volunteers provide service that’s equal to three full time workers.) But mostly, I’ve found that it’s a great pleasure and a kick to help people find what they’re looking for or what they didn’t even know they were looking for.”
Cynthia, thank you for exemplifying accessibility – by helping us find what’s important to us at the Brewster Ladies’ Library.
