Outreach Services does not have an area open to the public. You may reach the department by phone (513-369-6963) 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday. Watch a video tour of the department with Elizabeth Zuelke.
Manager: Elizabeth Zuelke
About the Department
The Outreach Services Department serves library customers who have special needs or may have difficulty using the library through traditional means. The department also plays an important role in serving educators.
Services
Books to Your Door
The department provides monthly deliveries of library materials to Hamilton County nursing homes, assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, and other congregate living locations. The department supplies deposit collections for residents to share, activity director collections, and books for individuals. Residents may make special requests or have Outreach Services staff select materials for them based on their reading interests.
Books by Mail
Outreach Services mails library materials to individuals in Hamilton County living in their own homes or apartments who are unable to visit the library due to an illness or disability. Homebound residents should contact the department for additional information and to request a questionnaire they can fill out detailing their interests.
Teacher Collection Delivery Service
The department delivers classroom collections to schools in Hamilton County. At least 5 teachers must request deliveries for a school to qualify. Teachers interested in classroom collections must apply for an Educator card. Learn more about our teacher collection delivery service.
Programs for Children with Special Needs
Librarians perform story times and other programs at hospitals, special needs classrooms, and other facilities serving children with developmental and learning disabilities, behavioral problems, mental health issues, and medical challenges. Visits are made monthly during the school year and can continue during the summer. The librarians also perform puppet shows for children and seniors at branch libraries and community locations.
Senior Programs
The department provides programming for seniors at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It also provides materials in a variety of formats for senior book clubs.
The Collection
Outreach Services has a large collection of materials designed to meet the special needs of people the department serves on a regular basis including:
- Large print: an extensive collection of adult books, including fiction and nonfiction.
- Audiobooks: CD, cassette and Playaways
- Victor Reader Stream: An mp3 player for visually impaired customers that can hold several audio books. Department staff can load the books onto the players, which can then be checked out at any branch.
- Materials for Nursing Home Activity Directors: Bifolkal program kits, videos, music, craft books, trivia, poetry, pictorials, and professional literature. Contact the department for a checklist of available materials.
- Juvenile materials: Fiction and nonfiction to meet the needs of teachers and their students, including multiple copies of many titles.
- Special Needs Collection: Books for children with special needs, their parents, and professionals who work with them.