The library on our campus provides easy access to several thousand books. The dedicated residents who volunteer on our Library Committee coordinate all library activities. In addition to checking out books, offerings include multiple book clubs and a variety of “meet the author” events. Our community also features six beautifully appointed reading rooms that are well-stocked with paperbacks.
The vast majority of the books (both large print and regular print) in the Springmoor library are fiction and have been selected for the reading pleasure of our residents. We also, however, offer several hundred non-fiction books that are spread among the Dewey Decimal System categories. Below we highlight just a few.
Travel the World without Leaving Our Campus
A trip to Paris! Wouldn’t that be delightful—if you didn’t have to contend with all the hassles of international travel. . . . Well, many of us learned long ago that you can be transported to other locales via books. So, let’s go to Paris by way of four books that we’ve added to our library. Two are non-fiction and two are fiction.
In The Seine: the River that Made Paris, Elaine Sciolino tells the story of this famous river through its colorful characters—a bargewoman, a riverbank bookseller, a houseboat dweller, and a famous cinematographer. This carefully researched and well-written volume is part memoir, part travelogue, and part history.
In Paris 1919: Six Months that Changed the World, author Margaret MacMillan describes Paris as temporarily being “the center of world government.” At the end of World War I, world leaders worked there for six months to negotiate a peace treaty.
This work illuminates details of the lives of the primary people who helped create the Treaty of Versailles. In addition to covering the personal dynamics between world leaders, McMillan tells of other colorful characters such as T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) who played highly visible roles in Paris during this time period.
The Paris Library is based on the true story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II. These librarians joined the Resistance, using books as their weapons. This powerful story, written by Janet Skeslien Charles, stresses the importance of books, libraries, and human connections.
The Paris Apartment is a whodunnit by Lucy Foley. In this Paris apartment building, every resident has something to hide. This masterfully written story is an enjoyable easy read. The Springmoor Library has it in large print.
Learning about Health Issues to Improve Quality of Life
Recently, we’ve been enhancing the health section of our collection. We’ve chosen new books that inform residents about topics of importance to them.
New additions include multiple books on Parkinson’s disease. These are current volumes by knowledgeable professionals that offer help to individuals and their loved ones coping with this disease.
Many residents deal with hearing loss, so we purchased several books on this topic. The authors live with major hearing loss themselves and are well-qualified to give tips and guidance regarding making this experience less challenging.
In 2023, we’re endeavoring to enhance our holdings of books that address dementia. We have recently purchased the following:
–The 36-Hour Day. Originally published in 1981, the seventh edition of this definitive work has been extensively updated. It is a practical book for families who are caring for someone with any form of dementia. The detailed table of contents is six pages long and covers almost any situation that is likely to arise.
–The Gap Between: Loving and Supporting Someone with Alzheimer’s. Written by Mary Moreland, this beautiful story is told in an engaging and accessible style with the goal of improving the lives of those with dementia and their loved ones.
Thank You to the Many Residents who Donate Books to the Library!
The Springmoor library has received two donations of Nicholas Sparks’ most recent release, Dreamland. Several sources have named this the “Best Book of 2022.” Fate draws three young people together in life-altering circumstances, and Sparks weaves a love story you will never forget.
Other recent donations include four hardcover novels by Danielle Steele. Accidental Heroes features a former Air Force pilot, a pregnant flight attendant, and a dedicated TSA agent in a gripping story of a flight from New York to San Francisco. All that Glitters explores one woman’s poignant journey through life following the death of her parents in a terrorist attack.
In Lost and Found, the main character goes on a road trip alone to reconnect with three men she loved and might have married after being left to raise three young children as a single mother. Did she make the right decisions? This is a moving story about love, motherhood, and fate. Silent Night is a touching story of resilience and hope in which a young girl struggles to recover after a terrifying accident.
Another resident donated a copy of Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love. This older novel is a literary masterpiece that is new to our collection. The Library Journal calls it “A splendid piece of work exploring both physical love and a love of God.”
We are always appreciative of gifts of quality books in excellent condition and look forward to seeing what treasures 2023 brings our way!
Many thanks to Betty Bridges, Springmoor resident since 2018 and Chair of the Library Committee of our Residents Association. The above content is compiled from iterations of Betty’s column titled “The Library Corner” which appeared in the September 2022, December 2022, and January 2023 issues of The Springmoor Herald. Each month Betty writes “The Library Corner” for our resident-produced newsletter so that residents are kept up to date on happenings at our library.
About the Springmoor Library and the Resident-Run Library Committee
Approximately 45 residents volunteer in the Springmoor Library. A group of about 15 residents serves on the Springmoor Library Committee of the Residents Association. The Springmoor Library is located on the second floor of the main building in North Village, next to the Business Office. Residents may visit from 10–Noon, Monday through Saturday, and from 1:30–3:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
The Springmoor Residents Association boasts 19 different committees in which residents can choose to be involved. As the leader of the Library Committee, Betty is the de facto librarian and spearheads planning book-related events, among other responsibilities.
Betty is a retired professional librarian who worked in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. After being both an elementary and a middle school librarian, she became the coordinator of all libraries in the Virginia Beach school system (there were about 50 at the time). A native of Danville, Virginia, Betty attended Westhampton College at the University of Richmond and received the Master of Library Science degree from East Carolina University.
Plan Your Visit to Springmoor Today!
Get to know current residents before you move in! Those on our waitlist and others interested in joining our community are invited to visit Springmoor for a book club meeting, evening concert, or our Life Writing Workshop with Dr. James Clark.
You can also take advantage of a card game, exercise/aquatics class, and a variety of aspects of spiritual life at Springmoor to help ensure you’re making the best choice for you. Our two chaplains coordinate numerous activities that include Vespers, Communion and Mass, a Monday Movie Matinee, support groups, and discussion groups. Click here to review our current events and activities highlights that are open to our waitlist.
Springmoor offers seniors a variety of residence options, ranging from apartments to larger villas and homes. If you’re looking for an active senior living community in Raleigh, call us at 919-848-7080 with your questions.
You can also click here to fill out a short online form to receive a free packet of information or schedule an appointment for a personalized tour. Our friendly team looks forward to meeting you soon!
