We are going to attempt an outreach program aimed at senior citizens and the homebound. Our program is two fold: 1. With the cooperation of our existing outreach organizations, Our Daily Bread (our version of Meals on Wheels) and Helping Hands (helping seniors and homebound with transportation and any other needs) a. We will pass on information about the Talking Book Program and let the people know how easy it is for them to apply, and how easy it can be to do. The Texas State Library mails the tape player to them and then makes the process of receiving and sending back titles so easy. I'm hoping that by supplying the application and the information booklet, as well as educating these volunteers about this program, that these citizens will begin to feel comfortable with it. At least they will have the information in order to make the decision. I think that there are so many people out there that don't even know it exists. I'm also providing the library's contact info so they can call us directly. b. We will also purchase 10 of these same types of players that the Talking Book Program uses and supply these to any senior or homebound individual who doesn't qualify for the state's program. We are going to keep track of who has a player, but they do not have to have a library card or account in order to use one. I've gone through our audio cassette collection and pulled all of the abridged titles. The titles in this collection are considered an exchange and will not be checked out, as such, and can be kept as long as necessary. We will house this collection at the library, kept separate, and will provide boxes of titles for the drivers/volunteers to pick up as needed. The driver/volunteer will sign for a box, and they will attempt to keep track of who has a certain title on a clipboard of the titles (also provided in the box). These titles are still in our catalog, but are no longer an active status, so they do not appear in the public catalog as available. This program is in its preliminary stages and I'm sure a lot of wrinkles still need to be worked out as for as the logistics go. Right now this plan doesn't involve a lot of staff time, but depends heavily on the cooperation of the drivers/volunteers for Our Daily Bread and Helping Hands. Depending on how well the program is received by both the citizens and by the volunteers who work with these organizations, we may try this effort further with our local Hill Country Care facility. We've tried keeping a large print collection at the senior center here, but that didn't work at the time. It is vital to have the center's coordinator's help and cooperation with any effort like this or it just won't fly. We will make another attempt at a later date and see how it works, then. Cara Russell, Library Director Dripping Springs Community Library 512-858-7825 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jennifer Patterson Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 2:51 PM To: 'CTLS Discussion Group' Subject: [ctls-l] FW: Services to the homebound _____
From: Jennifer Patterson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 2:47 PM To: 'Linda Howell' Subject: RE: [ctls-l] Services to the homebound I do think we're onto something! Yes, Large Print books are mailed free. I talked to a TSLAC Talking Books staff member about this, and she verified that the audiobook format is also mailed free via the TSLAC Talking Book Program, because their customers have filled out an application and been accepted into their program as "visually impaired'. They also have an institutional program: after receiving an application from the director of a nursing home or other residential facility, TSLAC sends audiobooks to that facility for use by whoever wants to use them. Application forms, an Applicant Agreement, and other information about the program are online at www.texastalkingbooks.org <http://www.texastalkingbooks.org/> . I think any library which chooses to develop a similar homebound program using audiobooks and Large Print books could do so - as long as they have an application on file to verify that the customers of the service are in some way visually impaired (dyslexia counts too). Jennifer John Patterson Continuing Education Coordinator Central Texas Library System, Inc. 512-583-0704 x16 _____ From: Linda Howell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 8:51 AM To: Jennifer Patterson Subject: RE: [ctls-l] Services to the homebound Do large print materials still mail for free through the US Post Office? and if so, do audio books count as "Free Material for the Visually Impaired"? This may provide a partial solution to delivery method. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jennifer Patterson Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 3:22 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'CTLS Discussion Group' Subject: Re: [ctls-l] Services to the homebound Some CTLS Large Print Collection members do send LP books to nursing homes - Georgetown does it, I know. Who else? By the way, we have plenty of books on our shelves which you could send out, so if any of you are interested in doing something like this, please let Katelyn or me know, and we'll send you extra boxes of Deposit Collection books (these are older-than-three yrs). The idea of individual deliveries of books to the homebound has come up during several Long Range Planning sessions, but the problem of manpower has kept the idea from developing. I think it's an ideal volunteer project! Maybe in conjunction with Meals on Wheels, books could be delivered. Jennifer John Patterson Continuing Education Coordinator Central Texas Library System, Inc. 512-583-0704 x16 _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Shanda Subia Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 2:42 PM To: CTLS Discussion Group Subject: [ctls-l] Services to the homebound Hello all, We are thinking about offering some sort of delivery service to homebound patrons (nursing homes, home health, etc.), but we are unsure how to really make it work. Does anyone, especially those at smaller libraries, have a homebound service that is not a bookmobile? If so, how does it work? Do the patrons actually have library cards? Do you have written policies? Is the service provided by staff or volunteers? We would appreciate any who are able to help us with this. Shanda Subia Library Director Lampasas Public Library 201 S. Main St. Lampasas, TX 76550 512-556-3251 [EMAIL PROTECTED] I GoodSearch for the Library Foundation of Lampasas, TX. Raise money for your favorite charity or school just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo!
