“What do I want to enjoy today?”

The question floats around in Fran Dembicki’s subconscious each day. And each day, she opens up a book, starts reading and loves it! She escapes in her favorite authors’ writing - Phylis Whitney, Mary Stewart and Nora Roberts, to name a few.

She takes comfort in knowing that these authors’ titles will continue populating her coffee table, ottoman, chair, wherever, thanks to the library.

Fran is a Red Carpet customer, which means once every other week library staff members come to her retirement community with books just for her.

Without this service, Fran said she would probably buy books at the grocery store where she’d be limited in selection.

And no store clerk could compare to Sheri DeNoon, the librarian who serves Fran’s reading needs.

“She knows what type of books I like and she makes an effort to find authors I like,” Fran said. “And she always puts in new authors too.”

Sheri is among 10 Red Carpet staff members who visit homes and retirement communities throughout the year. Red Carpet services bring books, listening devices, low vision aids and other library resources to 51 assisted living facilities and homebound individuals, filling a much-needed void.

“There are many, many people here who can’t go out to the library,” Fran said.

Fran knows how frustrating it is when a book lover like herself can’t physically make it the library. As her book-loving husband’s health failed, Red Carpet services became more valued to the couple.

“It was too difficult for my husband to go, and I don’t drive much,” she said. “It was just convenient it coming here.” 

Fran said she would recommend Red Carpet service to her friends, adding that most are customers already.

And so, it is not just Fran but a whole community of individuals who enjoy a good book thanks to the library’s commitment to Red Carpet services.

You can help continue their enjoyment and comfort by supporting Red Carpet through a donation to The Library Foundation. Call 785-580-4498 or donate online.