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LIBRARY OUTREACH SERVICES POLICY

MISSION AND PURPOSE

The mission of Outreach Services of ourLibrary is to provide recreational and educational library materials to people of any age who are not able to come to the library due to physical or institutional limitations.

PROGRAMS AND PRIVILEGES

Materials available through Outreach include regular print and large print books, audio books, films on VHS, and music on compact discs. Themed Bi-Folkal Kits and Visiting Kits are available by contacting the Outreach Office. Applications to the Local Talking Book and Braille Library are provided upon request.

Outreach is one of the many services of the Library; it follows the same procedures of the library as a whole. Nevertheless, certain benefits are extended to those who participate in the program.

All of the services below include the following privileges:

  • an extended loan period of 42 days (6 weeks)
  • waiver of late fees
  • waiver of reserve fees
  1. Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Senior Care Services, Senior Apartment Complexes, and Adult Homes
    1. Once or twice monthly visits from library staff or trained volunteers. Visits may be in the form of browsing hours or room-to-room visits. Residents may make special requests, or choose from the items brought. Library staff is responsible for selecting these collections.
    2. Deposit collections. These include materials brought to the facility by library staff, library volunteers, or an agency representative.
  2. Meals On Wheels
    Applications are requested from the Meals On Wheels Office in the County Nursing Home. Library materials are sent weekly to the Meals On Wheels Office for distribution to program participants with their meal delivery. Special requests for additional materials are sent with the returned items for the next delivery.
  3. Books By Mail
    Those desiring homebound service must be confined to their homes for a minimum of 3 months. They must complete an application interview (which may be done by telephone) to determine if they qualify for the program, and to assess their reading or listening interests and needs.
    Applicants already having library cards must be fine free before they begin the program. Their cards will then be changed to Outreach status.
    A homebound library card will be issued if the patron does not already have a library card. Cards are kept on file at the Central Library or Branch Library location preferred by the patron, for the use of the homebound person only.
    Materials are requested by the homebound patron through the Outreach Office by phone or mail, and are picked up and borrowed by a designated family member or friend, or, in the absence of these, they will be mailed to the homebound person in reusable envelopes with return postage included.
  4. Agency Borrowing
  • The head of the department or facility desiring an agency card must submit a signed request on letterhead stationery to that effect. The letter should specify the staff member(s) with borrowing privileges. Each staff member receives a separate card with a separate number.
  • Agency representatives may either choose materials independently or (with at least a weeks notice) request Outreach staff to collect materials for them. The representative is responsible for checking out and transporting materials to and from their facility. The representative is also responsible for ensuring the prompt payment of fees associated with lost or damaged items.

AGENCY AND INDIVIDUAL REPONSIBILITIES

  1. AGENCIES
    A staff member at each agency will be designated as the library contact and will oversee the borrowing of materials. It is expected that the facility will be cooperative in ensuring that loaned materials are returned to the library. Materials lost from the agency, for which a reasonable search has been made by library staff and the agency itself, will not be charged to that agency or patron. However, materials damaged by a resident borrower able to pay for replacement, will be billed by the library. Materials loaned to an agency must stay in the facility for use by or with residents. No personal loans are made to staff or family members of residents. If a resident is discharged from the facility, they should leave their materials with the designated library contact. They should never take these materials home.
  2. HOMEBOUND BORROWERS
    Homebound borrowers should return materials by their due dates, or contact the library for renewals. They are responsible for all fees associated with lost or damaged materials. Homebound borrowers must notify the library should they become able to visit the library again. Their registration will be changed to that of a regular library patron with normal borrowing privileges. They may re-register should their circumstances change in the future by notifying the Outreach Office.