SMC receives audiobook donation
Members of Shoshone Medical Center are presented with 10 Playaway portable media players from members of the Community Library Network Foundation. The devices were purchased by the foundation and then donated to the hospital to offer patients in isolation a way to occupy their time.
Courtesy photo
KELLOGG — Patients at Shoshone Medical Center now have another option to play away their time at the facility thanks to the Community Library Network Foundation.
In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, hospitals — which are already intimidating in nature — are even more isolated due to concerns over the ease of spreading the COVID-19 virus, which led three local librarians to come up with an idea to help lonely patients pass their time.
What they came up with?
Purchasing Playaway portable media players and donating them to the hospital, where they are an easy to sanitize and share option for patients and staff alike.
“For people who are isolated in the hospital, audiobooks can provide a much-needed distraction, companionship and possibly hope,” said Hayden Library Manager Jessica Bowman. “I wanted people to feel less lonely and audiobooks can do that.”
Each Plawaway costs about $90, so the gifting of 10 of them to the hospital is a big deal.
Playaways are pre-loaded audiobooks that gives readers the portability and freedom to listen to the audiobooks anytime, anywhere, with no need for any sort of internet or data connection.
It’s an incredibly easy way to circulate everything from bestsellers to new releases, all the while promoting literacy.
Shayleen Jerome, Shoshone Medical Center’s business development coordinator was happy to receive the Playaways and so thankful that the CLNF thought of them for donating.
“We are beyond grateful to receive these Playaways for use by our patients — what an unexpected and brilliant gift for our patients to enjoy while in our care,” Jerome said. “This donation will provide much-needed joy and encouragement for SMC patients and staff as our community recovers following a difficult year.”
“We found a very unique need and thought that this would be a great way to help our community,” Bowman said.
The Community Library Network includes seven libraries, Bookmobile and community outreach operations across Kootenai County and west Shoshone County.
Contact the Pinehurst location at pinehurstmanager@communitylibrary.net or 208-682-3483.