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(Susan Braunstein is a member of the reference staff at Rapid City Public Library, on the Web at www.rapidcitylibrary.org)
What do you do if your relative or friend can't get to the library, due to a temporary or permanent disability or lack of transportation? The library now has a program to deliver library materials to people with physical barriers to reaching library services, including those with temporary or permanent disability, injury or illness.
The Homebound Delivery Service has been in place for about a year and a half. Library staff or volunteers will select books in regular or large print, books on tape or CD, music CDs, videos, DVDs or magazines for homebound patrons. The materials are delivered to the patrons home by volunteer drivers. There are currently 75 individuals and 8 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in the homebound program; the coverage area includes Rapid City and Rapid Valley
If a homebound person needs to get a library card, they can call the library's outreach coordinator, Aimee Hepler,at 394-6139, ext. 230. Hepler will help that person register for a card. Homebound patrons must live in Pennington County, within the Rapid City School District boundaries.
Participants fill out an application that includes their basic information, along with a survey that asks specific questions regarding personal tastes in reading, listening or viewing; this allows selectors to make reading selections based on those preferences. You can also choose whether you want morning or afternoon delivery, or identify a day of the week that works best for you.
The eight nursing homes and assisted-living facilities that receive delivery service get monthly orders of 30 to 40 for residents. The residents' family members and the facilities' activity directors help participants use the materials at those sites, Hepler said.
Hepler believes there is one area that may be underserved at this time: families who aren't regular library users, perhaps because of unreliable transportation. She says that materials for children can also be delivered, and she would like to see more families receive this service.
As the outreach coordinator, Hepler is also responsible for the coordination of 45 volunteers who help out at the library. Library volunteers assist with shelving, cleaning, shifting books, genealogy, library publications, research assistance, special projects and other tasks as needed. For those who volunteer as homebound selectors or drivers, Hepler asks for a six-month commitment.
Many of us like to think we're independent. However, life can throw us curve balls at the drop of a hat. If you find yourself in a situation where you need materials from the library delivered to you, feel free to call Hepler at 394-6139, ext. 230, or e-mail ahepler@rcplib.org |
