"My first thought was, 'Wow, they have a library!'" she recalled.
loved reading. As her eyesight declined, however, she believed reading was something she could no longer enjoy. Barbara led her to the library's collection of large- print books. The resident's face immediately lit up and she eventually read every large- print book the library had.
In fact, she became so interested in exploring the library and its collection that she realized she had barely paid attention to the rest of the community during her tour. She had to go back and see everything she had missed.
But Barbara already knew something important.
"I realized right then that this was home."
"I love seeing the smiles on their faces and the joy in their eyes when they find a book by an author they love," she said. "I imagine them curled up in their favorite chair, completely immersed in the story." More Than Books The library Barbara helps care for isn't only a place to find something to read. Residents come for different activities, conversations and companionship.
A Familiar Purpose
Today, Barbara once again has a library to care for and people to help.
The collection at Cedarhurst has largely grown through donations from residents, creating shelves that Barbara believes tell a story of their own. Mysteries, histories, romances and other genres reflect the different personalities and interests of the people who call Cedarhurst of Hamburg home.
"The collection is a reflection of the people in the community," Barbara said. "Together, they help create a well- rounded collection of knowledge and experiences."
Barbara compares the library to the living room of the home where she grew up, a comfortable gathering place where reading and conversation naturally brought people together. That feeling extends beyond the library. It's there at breakfast, as friends discuss the weather and their plans for the day. It's found throughout the community and in the team members who make Barbara feel welcome. For someone who has spent a lifetime helping others find their next story, Barbara has found a pretty good one of her own. And she encourages others to keep searching for theirs. "Look for something new every day to keep your mind active," Barbara said. "The library provides a place to discover something new and gives you the time and opportunity to explore many different adventures through books."
For Barbara, tending to that collection has also rekindled something she thought she had left behind in retirement. "It has given me a reason to get up every day instead of staying in my apartment and doing nothing," she said. "It has rekindled my love of helping people find what they are looking for and making their lives more interesting."
One interaction in particular showed Barbara just how meaningful that could be.
A fellow resident with poor eyesight came into the library and told Barbara how much she had once
CEDARHURST SENIOR LIVING | FALL FLOURISH 2026 11
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