It helps parents see the importance of reading to their children and feel more comfortable in doing so, Rall said. Parents that bring their children to the hospital are often stressed out, and they get a moment of relaxation when the librarians come in, Rall said. The librarians have read to all ages, from babies only a few weeks old, up to teenagers-who tend to be the ones most enthusiastic about hearing a story, Opalka said. I love that sometimes we’re the ones that give them their very first book,” Opalka said. “I was a reading teacher for many years, so that’s a really big thing for me. The librarians leave each patient with their own book to keep-and for some, it is the first book that belongs to them. She can’t really read, but she’ll talk about what’s on the pictures and then go through the pages,” Magana said. “She got excited… to go through the pages and talk about what she sees in the pictures. Spoonful of Stories gave Alaina the opportunity to enjoy time with others, instead of being alone in a room, Magana said. “That was such a joy to see because I really got to know the family over the course of a few months and had just spent a lot of time with her, and to be able to see her get better and be able to go home,” Opalka said. Later on, Opalka happened to visit the same day Alaina had her last chemo treatment and was released from the hospital. Creating an ImpactĮrica Magana’s 3-year-old daughter, Alaina, stayed at Banner Thunderbird for several months to receive treatment for leukemia-and she was the first child that Opalka read to. “I think it’s important for parents to know too, when their kid is alone like that they’re not really alone,” Opalka said.Īll librarians wear personal protective equipment when needed and complete volunteer paperwork and background checks, said Rall. “These little ones, even though they’re not listening to the words and actions of the story, they’re still hearing someone’s caring voice, which is so important,” Rall said.Įight librarians visit Banner Thunderbird for a few hours every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to read to patients anywhere from five to 30 minutes, Rall said. Librarians now read to babies in neonatal intensive care units, and Banner Thunderbird has approved the program to move into the adult patient rooms. “It has just taken off like wildfire,” Rall said. RELATED: Rosie’s House in Phoenix Seeks Instruments for Young Musicians in Needīy the next month, librarians were in hospital rooms reading to pediatric patients. Opalka spoke with Jodi Rall, the pediatric academic coordinator for school services at Banner Thunderbird, who wanted to find a way to get librarians into the hospital to interact with patients. In June 2022, Becky Opalka, assistant branch manager at Phoenix’s Cholla Library, visited Banner Thunderbird to give out information regarding the summer reading program. Initially started by accident, a program called Spoonful of Stories at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center brings joy and peace to patients receiving care at the hospital. EIN: 52-2359517.Phoenix Public Library just surpassed its one-year mark of sending librarians to Banner Thunderbird Medical Center to read aloud to patients, leaving each patient with their own book to keep. The Leapfrog Group is a registered 501(c)(3). Never disregard, avoid or delay in obtaining medical advice from a doctor or other health care professional because of material on this site, as the site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Neither Leapfrog nor its affiliates are responsible for any damages or costs that may be incurred with respect to use of this site. Individuals are solely responsible for any and all decisions with respect to their medical treatment. The information viewed on this site is not intended to be the only or primary means for evaluating health care facility quality nor is it intended to be relied upon as advice or a recommendation or an endorsement about which facility to use or the quality of the medical treatment that a patient will receive from a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, or other health care provider. © The Leapfrog Group - All rights reserved.īy viewing this website you are agreeing to our TERMS OF USE.
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