June 24, 2020

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation supports new reading program at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is helping provide kids in hospital with opportunities for continued learning and creativity with a gift of $75,000 to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The gift will go towards establishing The Book Mobile program at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital (JPCH), which encourages the love of reading by providing a variety of books to children and their families in hospital. Children of all ages will enjoy the benefits of the program, as it encourages not only silent reading for those who are able to read to themselves, but also opportunities for parents and caregivers to read with their child, promoting bonding experiences.

“As educators, we are passionate about literacy and are extremely proud to support The Book Mobile.” said Patrick Maze, President, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation. “Books can teach us, provide comfort, make us laugh and transport us to far-away places. We hope the magic of a good book helps make the hospital stay a little easier for our province’s youngest patients and their families.”

The new program is based out of the Child Life Zone at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, a 2,800 square foot state-of-the-art therapeutic play area. All books are housed in a special library area known as the “Book Nook” in the Zone and a special mobile library cart is filled with books and wheeled to patients in their rooms.

The Book Mobile program has been designed in collaboration with child life specialists and teachers at JPCH. The selection of books on the cart changes daily to keep long-term patients engaged with new material. After books are used, they are cleaned and returned to the library in the Zone, or provided as a gift if the child is in isolation or has been discharged.

“Good health and education are essential to a child’s development. Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation believes that specialized programs are essential, especially when a sick child requires a hospital stay,” said Brynn Boback-Lane, President and CEO of Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We know this new reading program will help children and teens develop literacy skills, as well as find a sense of normalcy and comfort when being treated in the hospital. The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has partnered with us to ensure that patients in the children’s hospital receive this opportunity, and for that, we are grateful for their important contribution to the overall wellness of Saskatchewan kids.”

Watch the announcement video here.

 

 

PROGRAM FAQ

1. How does the program work?

• The Book Mobile program will give patients an opportunity to browse through a wide variety and selection of literature during their admission to hospital. 
• The full library will be housed in the Child Life Zone and a selection of books will be available on the Book Mobile cart for distribution to patient rooms.  The selection will change daily to keep long term patients engaged with new materials to choose from.

2. How is COVID impacting this program?

• Every precaution is being taken to reduce risks to patients and families in hospital.  Dry paper gifts have been deemed not to be an infection risk.  During COVID precautions, all books living with patients in their rooms will be offered as gifts to take home.

3. What if a borrowed book is lost or damaged?

• Lost or damaged books will be recorded and re-ordered.

4. I’ve finished my book and I don’t want to wait for the next bookmobile day. Can I call someone to bring the cart?

• Patients and families can call the Zone at 655-3225 and they will arrange for the Book Mobile to make a stop at their patient room.

5. Can families donate books to the program? 

• Due to infection control guidelines, books must be purchased directly through the Child Life Zone. Monetary donations to The Book Mobile program are encouraged through Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.
  

6. Can families/patients suggest books for purchasing for the program?

• Of course! The Child Life team is always happy to take suggestions to improve the list of books available.

 7. Are all books in English or are there multilingual books available?

• The Book Mobile program includes a selection of multilingual and multicultural books.