In order to provide regular read-aloud programs in nursing homes, to mentally stimulate and enrich the institutionalized elderly, and to improve access to library materials and services a project, proposed by the Seattle Public Library, provided training for volunteers in read-aloud techniques, sensitivity to nursing home residents, and meeting the needs of the frail elderly. A by-product of the project, funded with money from the Library Services and Construction Act, was the development of an instructional manual for use by library staff, volunteer coordinators, and activity directors interested in conducting read-aloud programs. Staff and volunteers conducted 372 programs for 3,396 residents in 9 months, with volunteers contributing 90% of the programming time. The results of the project led to its incorporation into the overall outreach program of the library and the creation of an annotated bibliography of more than 200 titles appropriate for read-aloud programs. (MS)