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Libraries stock reading bins at tribal clinic and dental waiting rooms

by Beverly Bidney -
From left to right, Big Cypress education work experience trainee Janessa Jones, CBH administrative assistant Maria Rivera, CBH child clinical associate Gabriella Velasco and library assistant Claudia Doctor with the book bin.
From left to right, Big Cypress education work experience trainee Janessa Jones, CBH administrative assistant Maria Rivera, CBH child clinical associate Gabriella Velasco and library assistant Claudia Doctor with the book bin. (Courtesy photo)

As part of an effort to encourage literacy, the Education Department’s Library Program has been providing reading bins filled with books in all tribal clinic, dental and Center for Behavioral Health waiting rooms.

The program began in Nov. 2024 and has been popular with patients. National Library Week is April 6-12 and the book bins are another way to promote reading.

“It started when I realized there were TVs in all the waiting rooms,” said library program supervisor Padmini Dukharan. “I used to see books and magazines in waiting rooms and wanted to find a way to reach out to the community. So we took the initiative with books in all the waiting rooms.”

Dukharan said HHS executive director Dr. Vandhana Kiswani loved the idea, which cleared the way for finding books. The libraries had an accumulation of donated books, so that began the process. They purchased other books to fill out the bins, which contain about 20 to 30 books each.

From left to right, Immokalee library education work experience trainee Gwyn Bastida Garcia, Immokalee clinic supervisor Mary Lou Alvarado and Immokalee library assistant Dolores Lopez with the book bin in the Immokalee Clinic’s pediatric waiting room.
From left to right, Immokalee library education work experience trainee Gwyn Bastida Garcia, Immokalee clinic supervisor Mary Lou Alvarado and Immokalee library assistant Dolores Lopez with the book bin in the Immokalee Clinic’s pediatric waiting room. (Beverly Bidney)

None of the books are linked to the library system, so patients are free to read and take the books home. Most are children’s books, but some young adult and adult books are also included.

In the Immokalee Health Center, the books are in the pediatric, dental and CBH waiting rooms.

“The kids look at the books and want to take them home,” said Mary Lou Alvarado. “They love the books.”

“They can take the books,” responded Dolores Lopez. “We have plenty. If you ever run out, let me know and I’ll bring more.”

In the dental office, the books are also a big hit.

“The kids sit and read the books,” said dental assistant Raul Garcia. “The parents read them, too. When they come in, they all grab a book.”

From left to right, Immokalee dental assistant Claudia Carrillo, dentist Dr. Oscar Reyes and dental assistants Raul Garcia and Elizabeth Pineda with the book bin in the dental waiting room.
From left to right, Immokalee dental assistant Claudia Carrillo, dentist Dr. Oscar Reyes and dental assistants Raul Garcia and Elizabeth Pineda with the book bin in the dental waiting room. (Beverly Bidney)
Members of the Hollywood library staff and CBH staff pose with the bin and some individual books in the CBH waiting room.
Members of the Hollywood library staff and CBH staff pose with the bin and some individual books in the CBH waiting room. (Courtesy photo)
Brighton dentist Dr. Emily Pham, Library assistant Joss Youngblood and dental assistant Kim Crews with the book bins.
Brighton dentist Dr. Emily Pham, Library assistant Joss Youngblood and dental assistant Kim Crews with the book bins. (Courtesy photo)
Beverly Bidney
Beverly Bidney has been a reporter and photographer for The Seminole Tribune since 2012. During her career, she has worked at various newspapers around the country including the Muskogee Phoenix in Oklahoma, Miami Herald, Associated Press, USA Today and other publications nationwide. A NAJA award winning journalist, she has covered just about everything over the years and is an advocate for a strong press. Contact her at beverlybidney@semtribe.com.
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