Club Notes Gladys MacDowell Doll Study Club of Virginia T he Gladys MacDowell Doll Study Club of Virginia has two recent service projects to report. The first was inspired by another club's work in providing baby dolls for caregivers to use in helping patients with dementia. They collected baby dolls that conformed to very specific guidelines concerning material and washability. The dolls ranged in size from preemie up, and each was provided with two sleepers and a receiving blanket. Caregivers' experience in "doll therapy" say that having a "baby" to care for helps improve the patient's own self care and general mental state. The second project was a display case at the community library where the club meets. Members contributed a wide range of non-commercial dolls and toys made from materials that ranged from wood, fabric and buttons to fruit (apple and prune) and nuts (hickory and pecan). Our aim was to interest library patrons in the tradition of creating dolls and toys at home as well as calling attention to library resources that might help. Public response was very gratifying, and club members hope people of all ages may be Members contributed to this library case that featured noninspired to create something themselves as a result. commercial dolls. Baby dolls with their sleepers and blankets were presented to caregivers for patients with dementia. This picture shows the wide variety of dolls used in the baby doll project. DOLL NEWS * ufdc.org 143http://www.ufDc.Org