New Library for Children and Adolescents Opens at Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment

Philadelphia, PA, February 1, 2005– The Belmont Young Readers Library  has opened at  Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment.  More than 650 new books are housed in the library which will be used by child and adolescent inpatients at the psychiatric facility located at 4200 Monument Road in Philadelphia.

On opening day of the library,  Ms. Sandie Farrell, a librarian for the adolescent department of the Free Library of Philadelphia joined Chonn Lacey, a Temple graduate and newly-signed Green Bay Packer.  Together they gave a presentation to adolescent inpatients called “How Reading Is Fun.”

The idea for creating a library at the hospital was initiated by psychiatry residents who saw a need in the community for young people to become  more interested in reading.  “Our residents believe that a library with beautiful new books and teachers who express excitement for reading, will help generate enthusiasm for reading in our young patients, “ says Cynthia Fonder, MD,  a 4th year psychiatry resident who oversaw the project.  “We hope the youngsters will get interested in books while they’re at Belmont  and that their enthusiasm for reading will stay with them throughout their life,” Dr. Fonder adds.

Many people contributed to the success of the project. Sixteen cases of new hardcover books were donated by A Better Start Program at Albert Einstein Medical Center, which offers a service that encourages  children reading and adults reading to children.  Attending psychiatrists, psychiatry residents and staff donated used books. Most of the books in the library are geared for children, so the library is in great need of books for teenagers. If you’re interested in making a donation, please contact Dr. Fonder at 215-581-5434 or fonderc@einstein.edu.

Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment is the private, free-standing psychiatric hospital of Belmont Behavioral Health, which is part of the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network.  For more information, call 1-800-EINSTEIN or visit www.einstein.edu/belmont.

 

Publish date: February 5, 2005