Three decades of seeking the perfect book

Entertaining the SwanCare community by finding readers the perfect book motivates Librarian Penny Felder, whose three decades of employment are being celebrated at SwanCare Bentley Park.

Helping people is Mrs Felder’s passion and helping residents find a great book they will enjoy reading is a great reward.

Mrs Felder said the community built around the retirement living complex library is a special one: “We have a consistent bunch of regulars and I love that the library has become something of a “social hub”,” she said. “I have a team of great volunteers who help deliver books to house-bound readers. This simple task allows people to forge connections - continuing to grow our community and providing a sense of purpose to those villagers who are physically able.

“To many of our readers the library is their second home, and to be honest it is mine too! I have known one particular resident since I started here. In many ways she was like a mum to me,” Mrs Felder recalled fondly.

SwanCare CEO Graham Francis said, “30 years is incredible! Our library is a tremendous resource that is testament to Penny’s dedication and enthusiasm. Penny is our librarian, our colleague and our friend and I am so proud of all she has achieved and all she continues to achieve in the library and in binding our community.”

“We have built a great community amongst our readers and I am proud that the library has become one of the key attractions at the village for new and potential residents,” he continued.

Penny reminisces about the ever-changing working landscape and recalls fondly bringing her small children with her to work: “It was a special time when I started here, to have been able to return to work following my maternity leave and bring my children with me. As they grew a little older they went to day care and would spend less holiday time with me at work, and more with Mum and Dad on the farm in Kojonup where I grew up.”

Mrs Felder said the library is continuing to evolve with developments in technology. The library now boasts more than 4,500 books, doubling its size since she began in a tiny little room catalogued by cards and envelopes, to becoming a digitised annex of the local library.

“When I started my library career at SwanCare the library was catalogued under the Browne Issue System with little cards and envelopes in the front of the books. Today, we utilise the digital Amlib system and operate as a branch of the local library,” Mrs Felder said.

“Increasingly our residents use their tablets to access the digital books we have on catalogue. I encourage readers to bring their tablets into the library so I can teach them to download the e-books and use the online resources,” she continued.

Mrs Felder is modest in encapsulating her career at SwanCare: “I hope I create a welcoming environment where the community can have valuable interactions. I know I have valuable interactions with them! Overall I have stayed for the wonderful residents and, after 30 years, I am proud of what I have achieved. I am happy in my job and I feel secure in that SwanCare are happy to have me, after all these celebrations I know they care about me.”