Outreach Services
Outreach librarians have the opportunity to break down barriers in communication and bring unique library services to a diverse population. The role of outreach is evolving from simple homebound services to encompass services to many nontraditional library users. This site provides information about innovative services for outreach librarians.
There are a variety of types of library outreach including, but not limited to:
Children's Outreach
Senior Outreach
Correctional Facility Outreach
Outreach to Diverse Audiences
Also included is a section on marketing of library outreach services.
The American Library Association's Office Of Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) (http://www.ala.org/ala/olos/outreachresource/additionallibrary.htm) has an extensive library of information on Library Outreach.
The State Library does not offer direct outreach services. However, we do assist librarians in defining and implementing outreach programming upon request.
For more information on Outreach Services contact lpd@sloma.state.oh.us or contact Paul Ward, Chair of the Ohio Library Council (OLC) Outreach Division at 740–354–5413.
Children's Outreach
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Online version of the Young Adult Library Services Association's
publication of Connecting Young Adults with Libraries.
Information on Booktalks, partnering with other organizations,
outreach, programming and understanding the youth audience.
Every Child Ready to Read
Program sponsored by
a partnership between Association for Library Service to Children
and Public Library Association, which incorporates the latest
research into a series of parent and caregiver workshops to
provide public libraries with vital tools to help prepare parents
for their critical role as their child's first teacher.
Library Outreach to Hispanic Children
Examples of services to Hispanic children from around the
country. Sponsored by the Children's Book Council (CBC).
Outreach Services to Youth
Links related to outreach services to youth and sponsored by the
ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS).
Outreach/School and Public Library Cooperation
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) worksheet to
help libraries assess their current outreach to schools.
Public Libraries as Partners in Services to Youth
Young Adult Library Service Association (YALSA) document outlines
strategies for outreach to youth.
Senior Outreach
Connecting Generations – Intergenerational Initiative
Promotes intergenerational learning and offers intergenerational programming resources.
Ideas and Models for Offering Program
Offers unique programming ideas for seniors, homebound patrons
and nursing home residents. Provided through ALA's website.
Intergenerational Programs in Nursing Homes
Provides ideas on programming and how to get new programs started
that involve intergenerational interaction.
Library Service to Older Adults Guidelines
This is the third set of the guidelines developed by the American
Library Association promoting library services to seniors. They
address organizational functions and needs in serving this
population.
OSU Extension – Ohioline – Aging
Information about elder abuse, estate planning, retirement, and much more.
Outreach Services To The Elderly – Office for Literacy and Outreach Services
A forum for the exchange of information on intergenerational library programs.
Serving Seniors: A How To Do It Manual For Librarians
Extensive resource on services to seniors compiled by RoseMary
Honnold, Young Adult Librarian, and Saralyn A. Mesaros, Senior
Services Librarian, from Coshocton Public Library in Coshocton,
Ohio. Designed as a companion to a book by the same title.
Correctional Facility Outreach
How to be a Successful Prison Librarian
Article from the ALA Division of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies.
Library Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions
Excerpt from a standards document put out by the Association of
Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), which
outlines basic standards of correctional library service.
National Institute for Correctional Education (NICE)
Includes competency–based curriculum for correctional educators,
Information on a Summer Academy program for correctional
educators, and an electronic information Clearinghouse.
Services to Incarcerated and Ex–Offenders
Part of the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services
Division. Includes handouts from a 2002 preconference on outreach
services to this audience.
Diverse Audiences
ALA Diversity Fair
Alphabetical listing of ALA Diversity Fair offerings from 2001
through 2004. Includes examples of library outreach service to a
variety of audiences.
Civics and Citizenship Toolkit
Ordering information for the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, developed by the Task Force on New Americans to provide immigrants with vital information about the United States of America. The kit contains a wide range of media and resource information and is available at no cost to public libraries.
Developing a Hispanic Outreach Program That Works
Ana Torres–Davis uses knowledge of the Hispanic culture to
develop an outreach program that delivers useful services in a
manner compatible with the target audience.
Outreach to Rural and Small Library Communities – Office for Literacy and Outreach Services
Offers a wealth of material to support rural library outreach service.
Services to People with Disabilities – Office for
Literacy and Outreach Services
Links and organizations dealing with outreach service to this group.
State Library of Ohio Talking Book Program
Coordinates the Ohio program and serves as the machine lending
agency for the state.
Bookmobile Services
Bookmobile Statistics of Ohio Libraries
Part of the State Library of Ohio's online statistics, this
database, searchable by county, lists the number of bookmobiles
per library and annual circulation data (xls format).
Center for Study of Rural Librarianship – Bookmobile and Outreach Services
Features checklist for developing a useful bookmobile, helpful
topics and bibliographies.
Kids Share Love of Reading as Book Buddies
Williamsburg Regional Library's bookmobile promotes "Book
Buddies" to help younger children improve literacy skills.
Services to Bookmobile Communities – Office for Literacy
and Outreach Services
Includes a parade of bookmobiles from around the country, survey
information, National Bookmobile Guidelines, bibliography and
select professional resources.
Promotion of Library Outreach
Marketing Ideas for Libraries – Outagamie Waupaca Library System
This site, offered through the Outagamie Waupaca Library System,
features resources, links and articles on marketing.
Marketing the Library – Outreach
Helpful links and steps to get your outreach marketing plan started.
Marketing the Library
Web based training commissioned by the Ohio Library Foundation
and accessed through OLC. Features marketing training modules,
links, examples and quizzes.
You Do What? – Marketing Outreach Services
Outreach marketing ideas, examples and helpful links from
information featured at OLC's Southeast Chapter Conference.
Local Organizations
Ohio Library Council Outreach Division
Paul Ward
Portsmouth Public Library
1220 Gallia Street; Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
1–740–353–2148; E–mail: pholley@mail.portsmouth.lib.oh.us
Talking Book Program
Jim Buchman, Director
State Library of Ohio
274 E. First Avenue, Suite 100; Columbus, Ohio 43201
1–800–686–1531; Web site: http://winslo.state.oh.us/services/slotalk.html
Regional Libraries for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
Cleveland
Barbara T. Mates, Director
17121 Lake Shore Blvd.; Cleveland, Ohio 44110–4006
1–800–362–1262; Web site: http://www.cpl.org/Locations.asp?FormMode=LBPH
Cincinnati
Donna Foust, Director
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
800 Vine Street; Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
1–800–582–0335; Web site: http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/main/lb.asp
National Organizations
ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS)
50 East Huron Street; Chicago, Illinois 60611
1–800–545–2433 #4294; Email: olos@ala.org
National Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20542
1291 Taylor Street, NW; Washington, DC 20011
1–800–424–8567; Web site: http://www.loc.gov/nls/index.html
Resources – Books
The Book Stops Here : New Directions In Bookmobile Service
Catherine Suyak Alloway. Scarecrow Press, 1990.
Overview of bookmobile services and trends.
From Outreach to Equity: Innovative Models of Library Policy and Practice.
OLOS, American Library Association, 2004
This title reflects a shift in outreach from serving the
underserved to providing equity of access and service in a
variety of library settings to all patrons.
5–Star Programming and Services for Your 55+ Customers.
Barbara T. Mates. American Library Association, Chicago c2003.
Excellent resource on service to seniors, as well as background
on the philosophy behind this service.
Libraries to the People: Histories of
Outreach.
Robert Freeman, ed, David Hoyde, ed., Kathleen De La McCook, ed.,
McFarland and Company, c2003.
Examines the difficulties libraries face in providing educational
resources to those who are most estranged by socioeconomic or
other factors.
Library Marketing That Works&@33;
Suzanne Walters, Neal–Schuman Publishers, c2003
Clearly detailed with loads of helpful tips, this manual also
covers demographic studies, outreach programs, Internet
advertising, niche marketing, branding, effective competition
strategy, and more.
Managing Library Outreach Programs.
Marcia Trotta. Neal–Schuman, c1993.
Offers extensive information on the creation and administration
of library outreach programs.
Marketing: A
How–To–Do–It Manual for Librarians.
Walters, Suzanne. Neal Schuman, c2003
Explains how librarians can use marketing principles to attract
more people and to increase support in the community.