What began as a way to share reading materials with the community has grown into a well-stocked mini library at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena. Book Share began with a conversation between Fay Waupochick and Pat Gwidt.
“Books were left over from our parish festival and we had a convent with available space,” said Waupochick, a former librarian for the Menominee Indian School District.
They received permission from the parish council to try Book Share, asked for additional donations of books and found shelving. Members of the parish helped put the books on shelves and were there when it opened.
The goal of Book Share is to offer fellowship for parish members and the wider community, and to encourage the benefits and joy that comes from reading.
“It has grown beyond anything that was anticipated,” Waupochick said.
At first, space was shared with the food pantry. When money became available through a grant, Book Share got its own room in the former convent. Shelves were built by Yeager Builders, carpeting was donated, and a new mini-library was created.
“We are now in our eighth year,” Waupochick said.
People can take what interests them, bring them back or pass the books on to other family members. Donations cover a wide variety of topics for all age groups. People will find spiritual titles, self-help, cookbooks, biographies, hobbies and recreation, novels and mystery books.
“Parishioners and their families and friends are our steady donors,” she said.
They have also received larger donations from the Wolf River Reading Council, S. Verna Fowler Academic Library/ Menominee Public Library and others who have heard about the project.
Waupochick is responsible for keeping the project organized. She cleans and sorts the books by main topic areas. Fiction books are by author.
“The project works,” Waupochick said. “The books are all donated and parish members volunteer. People are encouraged to come and browse—parishioners, community, visitors.”
Book Share is open the first Sunday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. unless it falls on a holiday and then it’s a week later. It’s also open during any parish-sponsored event and when the food pantry is open, which is twice each month.
Parish members volunteer to host on the Sundays; Waupochick hosts during the parish events. She also gets the notices ready for the bulletin and puts up signs to let people know when Book Share is open.
“Any means you can use to encourage reading is a positive for everyone involved,” Waupochick said.
For more information, call Waupochick at 715-799-3437.
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