Utube: A New World.

Utube opens up a whole new world of possibilities for Housebound Clients. We host regular morning teas at the library and a Day at the Races for Seniors but for the clients who are very frail and incapacitated they don't get out into the world very often, if at all. The idea of being able to take them on a virtual tour of the library; or anywhere for that matter, is a very exciting one. Elderly housebound clients rely almost entirely on books to venture into the world beyond their four walls. Experience of life is limited to their memories or what family and friends relay of their activities. Imagine how much fulfilling life would be for them if they could travel to new places, visit art galleries and museums, take a tour through a wonder of the world or take a trip down memory lane and revisit their childhood home town. On a less grand scale they could 'participate' in library activities in a virtual sense, view a bookclub meeting and perhaps send in their review of a book so that their view is shared with the group, take an historical tour of heritage sites in the Council area, take part in the art and photographic exhibitions held frequently, share the experience of our author talks , health and law seminars. The list goes on and on. How exciting to think that just when your body made it almost impossible to enjoy life that this tecnology could give you a second chance to experience almost all the world has to offer again. The only limitation I can think of is that many of these seniors don't have access to the internet and for many the idea is quite daunting. If we can improve their quality of life by providing books imagine how utube could open a whole new world for them.