Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library and Anderson Regional Medical Center have partnered on a new program to help make hospital stays more enjoyable for young patients and their families.

    The library has donated six Kindle e-books to Anderson’s pediatric unit. The purchase was made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the Mississippi Library Commission.

    The idea for the partnership was generated by M/LCPL Children’s Services Coordinator Abbie Woolridge, a 2014 participant in the Mississippi Library Commission’s Mississippi Library Leadership Institute (MLLI). Up to 30 librarians in the state are chosen to participate in the year-long program, which focuses on team building, improving communication skills and strategic planning.

    As part of their studies, participants are required to create and implement a project with a partner organization from their library’s community. Woolridge considered Anderson Hospital, based on personal experience.

    “I spent a lot of time in the hospital as a child,” she said. “It’s difficult on the whole family when a child has to be in the hospital. They spend a lot of time there and there’s not a lot they can do – you can’t bring outside toys or anything else because of the risk of germs. So I thought if the library could be a help to families in the hospital, I’d like to make that happen.”

    Woolridge contacted Anderson Hospital about the idea, which hospital officials welcomed.

    “It was a good opportunity for our pediatric patients to have some form of activity while they are here in the hospital. We are very appreciative that they considered us,” said Jessica Clark Lewis, nurse manager of the hospital’s pediatric unit.

    Woolridge received a $1,000 grant through IMLS to implement the program, and she and Lewis worked together to devise a plan.

    “Because of germs and other concerns, traditional books were not very realistic. They couldn’t be passed from patient to patient,” Woolridge said.

    E-books were decided to be a viable solution.

    “Our library has a very good collection of e-books,” she said. “So I purchased the Kindles and set up library cards for each so the hospital patients could access our e-books.”

    Board books were also purchased for younger children.

    “They are made of cardboard and are easier to clean,” Woolridge said.

    Although Anderson’s pediatric unit was the initial site for the e-books program, plans are to expand it to other areas of the hospital.

    “We also plan to make several available for the Oncology Unit, because the patients tend to be in the hospital a little longer than our pediatric patients,” Lewis said. “Another area we thought about putting them in is The Unit (intensive care unit, critical care unit).”

    Woolridge said she hopes the library will be able to extend the program to other local health organizations.

    “Possibly the cancer treatment center and other facilities,” she said. “I hope this will be a great way for the library to be an active participant in the community.”