>> GEORGIA WAR VETERANS HOME
The Georgia War Veterans Home (GWVH) reopened the Wheeler Building Library on Sept. 26 after its initial closing during COVID restrictions.
Activities Director Michelle Flood stated that due to gathering restrictions during COVID, the library was closed and used for other purposes, such as residents eating in the room. Eventually, the space also became used for storage and holding clutter as regulations became more restrictive.
“COVID stopped social gatherings, so we had to close the library,” said Flood. “During the time it was closed, we repurposed it for a variety of other uses from extended space to storage. But with restrictions mostly gone now, it was finally time to reopen and revamp our library.”
Clean-up of the library began in June and continued through September until the week of its reopening. Alongside cleaning up the space, new additions were installed to the library including wall decor, plants, an audiobook station, headphones at each computer, new computers, and updated magazines. Most of the clean-up work was done through volunteers.
“We had one volunteer who did the majority of the work and was consistently there to help. She logged about 82 hours of service,” said Flood. “We are very thankful to her and the other volunteers and staff who worked so hard to get the library ready to reopen and offer better services.”
Volunteers are a major part of the library. With its reopening, a new volunteer opportunity for library monitors is now available to the public.
Monitors assist residents with searching books, cleaning up around the library, and conducting library services.
“It's the perfect volunteer opportunity for someone who may not be able to volunteer for an extended time or would prefer to work in a quieter environment with a smaller number of residents at a time,” said Flood. “Currently, I have been one of our library monitors and it's been very pleasing to work with our residents and hear their feedback of the library being back in action.”
According to Flood, many residents are happy to have a quiet environment to escape to and have access to the internet and audiobooks. Some residents also take the opportunity to bring their own books to read or partake in other activities to enjoy the environment.
“It is a multi-purpose area that our residents can use for other activities beyond the library services. Since its re-opening, we have seen a few residents coming and going but I expect the majority of our residents will be using it as more time passes,” said Flood.
The Wheeler Building Library is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and volunteers can pick their own time allotment to work. If interested in volunteering, contact the Georgia War Veterans Home at 478-445-3234 or email Michelle Flood at michelle.flood@stginternational.com.