Oxford

Mission

First Home Library Drop

1 GoodGymer made their way to help their local community in Oxford.

  • Alice
 
Saturday, 8th of May 2021
 
Led by Alice

After completing my paperwork and inductions with (the lovely) Kevin last month, I was let loose on Headington Library to collect books for my first drop to my new HLS customer, Mrs R; somehow dodging the morning's rain! Big thanks to the Headington library staff and volunteers for their help this morning helping me orientate myself and set things up efficiently.

Being in a library on a Saturday morning really took me back; about 2 decades to be precise! While making me feel properly old, the smell of used books and the maintained importance of the library as a focal point in the community (despite technology....and funding cuts!) was familiarly comforting, and strongly resonated with many a childhood memory (mainly of my dad letting me chose all the 'fun' books, while my mum was at work!)

Mrs R has a broad taste in literature, and we had pre-emptively requested some books, however, these were yet to arrive at the local branch. Thus I had the pleasure of choosing the books to cover Mrs. R for the next 3 weeks. While we usually stick to 3 books per drop, I chose one extra for my first delievery, in case 1 or 2 of my selections didn't quite hit the spot. I made sure to avoid any soppy romance at the specific request of Mrs. R!

After the books were checked out, it was great to meet Mrs R for the first time, and I am already looking forward to going back soon. Mrs R was really keen to have a quick flick of the titles I'd brought (which already demonstrated just how valuable the service is) and seemed delighted by 3 of the 4 choices and intrigued by the final selection; so I am hopeful they will keep her busy over the coming weeks.

We had a lovely chat; covering family ventures to the beauty of South Wales, and of course, touched on the subject of dogs! Mrs R was beyond grateful for the service and it will be great to pop back in 3 weeks' time. Hopefully this time I will bring some sunshine (Given it will be June!!)

Owing to the wet-weather I walked my HLS delivery and decided to run with a friend in the afternoon once it has lightened off - it was nice to have company on a run but was plagued by stitches yet again, here's to hoping the youtube-hole of 'how to avoid side stitches' was a good time investment this evening!!

After a lot of Office time at work this week, it was wonderful to be out and about for the majority of the day. Another great Goodgym-Local Community partnership; Thanks Anwen and Kevin for setting it up!

Report written by Alice


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Anwen Greenaway
Anwen Greenaway
Sunday May 9th, 2021 07:39

Sounds like a success Alice!

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