Library is an Important Part of Recovery

There’s something so heartwarming about seeing a mom and her little one curled up together with a good book. From story hour to the bag of books families get to take home with them, the library is an important part of recovery at Parisi House.

“Some of these women never had anyone read to them when they were little, or love them the way they want to love their child, and they learn how to do that here,” says LD Hirschklau, who led efforts to create the library about seven years ago and serves as librarian and story hour coordinator. “During story hour, they see positive ways to parent their child, and reading together really nurtures that bond between mother and child.”

Before the pandemic made gathering impossible, story hour was held at least once a month in the library. “A volunteer reads aloud and they all sing,” LD explains. “They go back and forth between reading and singing for about 25 minutes. It’s a lot of fun for everyone.”

After story hour, LD and the other volunteers help moms and kids check out books from the lending library. There are plenty of children’s books for the kids as well as self-help books and fiction for the moms. Donations help to keep the library stocked.

When our moms and kids finish their treatment at Parisi House, they can take a bag full of books with them. Women are encouraged to continue reading to their children after they are home. 

“We try to send every infant home with Pat the Bunny – it’s such a wonderful way for babies to get introduced to books because there is something to touch on every page,” LD adds. “The library helps to build literacy skills for both moms and kids, and that will help them be successful when they’re out in the world.

Library is an Important Part of Recovery

There’s something so heartwarming about seeing a mom and her little one curled up together with a good book. From story hour to the bag of books families get to take home with them, the library is an important part of recovery at Parisi House.

“Some of these women never had anyone read to them when they were little, or love them the way they want to love their child, and they learn how to do that here,” says LD Hirschklau, who led efforts to create the library about seven years ago and serves as librarian and story hour coordinator. “During story hour, they see positive ways to parent their child, and reading together really nurtures that bond between mother and child.”

Before the pandemic made gathering impossible, story hour was held at least once a month in the library. “A volunteer reads aloud and they all sing,” LD explains. “They go back and forth between reading and singing for about 25 minutes. It’s a lot of fun for everyone.”

After story hour, LD and the other volunteers help moms and kids check out books from the lending library. There are plenty of children’s books for the kids as well as self-help books and fiction for the moms. Donations help to keep the library stocked.

When our moms and kids finish their treatment at Parisi House, they can take a bag full of books with them. Women are encouraged to continue reading to their children after they are home. 

“We try to send every infant home with Pat the Bunny – it’s such a wonderful way for babies to get introduced to books because there is something to touch on every page,” LD adds. “The library helps to build literacy skills for both moms and kids, and that will help them be successful when they’re out in the world.