Library Services

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     There aren’t many people alive who still remember the days when professionals—especially doctors—would routinely make “house calls” because it was often easier and safer for them to come to the patient rather than the other way around.

     Well, there are still a few noble souls who will inconvenience themselves for patients truly in need. But, the concept of making a house call has largely transitioned away from the medical profession and is now alive and well within the mission of service-oriented professionals found in the library.

     But, instead of “house calls,” they call it “Outreach.” And, according to Leigh Verburg, branch outreach and programming specialist, it’s a huge part of what the Cascade team delivers to the community.

     “Outreach means bringing library services to places and people outside of the library,” she explained. “It looks different based on who we are providing this service to and what is wanted or needed from the library.”

     An example of an outreach program that has recently helped seniors through a difficult time is the one extended to residents of Gaylord House apartments by branch librarians Nanette Zorn and Deborah Lily. A four-month construction project had cut off residents from the communal area where they shared library time, bingo, library craft time, community meals and lectures.

     “Because the Friends supported this outreach, Deborah and I were able to visit them monthly to drop off gifts and let them know that they are valued people, valued patrons and that they are thought of by our staff even when we can't physically see them,” Zorn said.    

     A different sort of outreach program is the one offered at the Mary Free Bed YMCA every other Tuesday, where Zorn and another librarian, Taylor LaBash, run a mobile library, open new library cards, answer tech questions, circulate books and promote programs.    

     “With your support, we are able to hand out incentives like KDL swag and healthy snacks,” she said.  “The really fun thing about outreach is that it allows us to reach an audience that often isn't in the habit of coming to the library and that may not know the extent of our services. They might be attracted to our table by a healthy snack after their workout, but they stay at our table because they get so much more from their encounter with us.”

    Here is a brief overview of the various types of outreach that the Cascade branch offers schools and partners, as well as some examples of what we have done or are doing.

• Tabling Events
  • Having a table of information about library services
    • this can be Parent-Teacher Conferences, Literacy Nights, Career Days, etc.
• Reading visits
  • Storytimes for Early Education or Elementary Schools
  • Can be done at Middle and High School level with First Chapter Friday or something like that
• Library Resource Presentation
  • This can be slide shows, database tutorials, or program presentations
    • We recently gave a presentation at a church on general library card benefits
• Reading and Writing Challenge Presentations
  • Promote and talk in schools every May and in the Fall about Summer Wonder, Legendary Readers, etc.
• Book Promotion
  • Book talks
  • Bringing books for check out
• Community Events
  • Have a table with library resources, free giveaways, yard games, etc.
    • 4th of July, Easter Egg Hunt, etc.

    
    

         If you would like to learn more about the library’s Outreach programs and explore what they might be able to help your group with, you need to do some “outreach” first by contacting Leigh Verburg at lverburg@kdl.orgor 616-647-3849.

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