Betty Renninger is proud of how her great-granddaughter, visiting with her on a recent President’s Day, got lost in a book about the country’s first president.

She is nearly as proud that the book came from a library she helps to maintain—the library at Manatawny Manor, a Diakon Lutheran Senior Living Community.

A resident of Manatawny Manor’s personal care community, Mrs. Renninger takes pleasure in the fact the library’s collection could satisfy a young, curious mind. When she came to live at Manatawny Manor some 15 years ago, the library consisted only of a handful of books, open just one day a week and dependent on a single volunteer to keep it going.

Today filling several walls of shelves, the library is open all day, thanks to Renninger and other resident volunteers who solicit donations, organize book sales, and promote the library. The group has even formed a book club to share their love of reading.

The library is just part of what Betty Renninger finds appealing about life at Manatawny Manor. The family feeling, the countless friends she’s made, the fact that many members of her own family are close by all make the community just right for her.

She knew Manatawny Manor would be the perfect home for her because she understood she needed assistance with daily activities, yet wanted to remain as independent as possible.

“I visited a half-dozen time before I came here to live,” she says. “One of the best things is the feeling of security. There is help right here if and when it’s needed.”

She praises staff members for helping residents to stay active and in touch with the local community. “There’s always something to do,” she says, “and lots of freedom to do what we want!”