Ohio County Public Library Helps Keep Homebound Patrons Connected Through Outreach Services
WHEELING -- Not everyone may be aware of it, but the Ohio County Public Library has a convenient service that helps provide a treasure trove of library material to local people who cannot easily make it out of their homes to get it.
The library's Outreach Services program connects homebound bookworms and other travel-challenged residents with anything they otherwise would be able to check out at the circulation desk if they were there in-person.
"We offer home delivery of any borrowable library material," said Julia Bachmann, Outreach Services Specialist for the Ohio County Public Library. "So that includes regular-print and large-print books, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs and magazines. It's a delivery service that's right to your home."
The Outreach Program started in 2006 and served as somewhat of a personalized upgrade from the old Bookmobile program, which was discontinued.
"We transitioned from the Bookmobile to Outreach Services because there were people who were in their apartment, who could see the Bookmobile, but could not get out to the Bookmobile," Bachmann said. "That's why we transitioned to Outreach Services, because this is door-to-door, and it gets right to the people that are unable to get outside to the Bookmobile or to any other services."
Now, the Ohio County Public Library has no Bookmobile in its fleet.
"I have a minivan," Bachmann noted, agreeing that the service they provide is like a "DoorDash for books" instead of for meals.
"It's for the homebound," she said, noting that patrons don't necessarily have to be permanently homebound to participate, as each application is reviewed on a case-to-case basis. "If you're elderly and don't drive, or if you have surgery and are off your feet for six weeks or something and you need something to read, I can bring books. If you have a hard time getting to the library -- if it's hard for you to get here, we will deliver books to you."
Information about the Outreach Services is available on the library's website, but many of those who have become regular patrons of the service found out about it in more old-fashioned ways -- by brochures that are distributed through various local agencies, or for the most part, by word-of-mouth. Bachmann works with local home health care agencies and meal delivery services to help distribute flyers that inform the public about these convenient services.
"Often, people don't want other people in their home who they don't know or trust," Bachmann noted. "If they hear from a friend, 'hey, Julia from the library brings me books, and she can bring you books, too,' then they want to check it out, too. Word-of-mouth has been huge for me as far as spreading the word."
To become an Outreach Services patron -- those interested can fill out an application, and Bachmann will help coordinate scheduling and other details. Patrons who use Outreach Services must have a library card. If an applicant does not yet have a valid library card, one will be set up for them.
Most of the application is the Reader's Advisory section in which an applicant lets Bachmann know their reading preferences so she can help make recommendations if need be.
"They tell me what they want and what they like, and I can choose the books for them," she said. "Or they can tell me what they want, and I bring exactly what they request."
Some of the current Outreach Services patrons have very specific tastes in books, Bachman noted. Some really like World War II fiction, while others like books about royalty and others like mysteries, as long as it has a Western edge.
"I do a lot of recommending of books!" Bachmann laughed, noting that her secondary role in offering advice for reading material is often just as rewarding as making sure the patrons have access to it. "It's very personalized. I have about 70 adults who I serve right now, but all 70 don't always get books every month. There is always room for more."
High rise apartments, retirement homes and care facilities are on a fixed, twice-monthly delivery schedule for the service already. For individuals living in private residences, individualized delivery arrangements can be coordinated between Bachmann and each patron.
Another part of Outreach Services involves delivery of books to local daycares and schools. They get 25 books in a bin every month, which also can be selected by the recipients or chosen by Bachmann.
Typically, outreach patrons have a four-week borrowing period. There can be renewals and extended borrowing periods, as well, and since they are delivered and picked up, it is a fine-free borrowing program.
Outreach applications can be completed over the phone, or applications can be mailed to a potential patron to be completed at their leisure.
Applications can also be completed online at the library's website.
The importance of the services goes beyond that of providing reading material for those in need. Bachmann noted that sometimes, she provides the only face-to-face, human contact that certain patrons get with the outside world -- which makes the service a vital one to many.
While the library has been facing the threat of budget crunches, Bachman noted that the Outreach Services is expected to continue despite recent word of funding cuts.
For more information about the Ohio County Public Library's Outreach Services, contact Bachmann at 304-232-0244 or email julia.bachmann@ohiocountylibrary.org.