Elkins, WV — Inside Davis Medical Center’s (DMC) visitor entrance, next to the volunteer desk, is a wooden box with two shelves. The skillfully hand-crafted box resembles a birdhouse and is filled with books which are donated and are free to hospital visitors, employees and the public.
The idea for the project, The Little Free Library, was introduced to Davis Medical by Dennis E. Wilson, MCCP FP-C NRP, Business Development Coordinator and Certified Flight Paramedic with HealthNet Aeromedical Services. HealthNet partners with Davis Medical Center in the aeromedical transport of critically ill or injured patients.
“Each base in the HealthNet Aeromedical Services system has been asked to sponsor a little free library in their local community to promote literacy and endorse reading,” said Wilson. “Our Base 6 team leader Josh Gillespie and his father Richard Gillespie created the Little Free Library for Davis Medical Center.”
“The library is unique and garners a lot attention from passersby,” said Valerie Bright, Coordinator of Volunteer Services for Davis Medical Center. “Because people are always donating books to the library, we maintain an interesting variety of reading material.”
Adult, youth and children’s book donations are welcome, and may be made to the DMC Gift Garden or at the Main Entrance Information Desk.
The project is collaboration between HealthNet and the DMC Volunteer Services.
