National Library Week: What’s Outreach?

Post author:Sarah Beebe
Post published: April 9, 2025
Post category:All Ages

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Here is an exclusive inside look into the outreach department in celebration of National Library Week!

Outreach in 2025 is very different than the outreach of the 1930s!
The Pack Horse Library Project was a program that delivered books to remote regions in the Appalachian Mountains between 1935 and 1943. Women were very involved in the project that eventually had 30 different libraries serving 100,000 people. Packhorse librarians were known by many different names, including “book women,” “book ladies,” and “packsaddle librarians.” The project helped employ around 200 people and reached around 100,000 residents in rural Kentucky.

(Click on the book images below to be taken to the item in our catalog)

Also has a sequel, the Book Woman’s Daughter.

How does outreach work at WPPL?

At WPPL, outreach includes going to senior facilities (long term care, independent living, assisted living, and memory care) and for those who are considered homebound in the city of Westlake. We provide free homebound services to any Westlake resident with a permanent or temporary condition that prevents a safe visit to the library. These visits include bringing requested materials to the facilities or someone’s home. Each facility has a monthly visit where library materials are delivered.

The First Step: Choosing Materials

**Materials are chosen based on the preferences for each facility. Typically 30-40 large print titles, some non-fiction, regular print, books on CD, and Playaways.**

**Materials are then packed into containers to be transported.**

Second Step: On the Road Again

**The materials are then transported in one of the outreach vans (donated by the Friends of the Porter Public Library!)**

**The materials are then typically arranged on a table for patrons at the facilities to browse. Patrons are also able to request specific titles to be delivered**.

Third Step: Checking Out and Returns

**One the materials are chosen, they are able to be checked out with this tablet and scanner while at the facility. Need a library card? One can be issued immediately while at the facility.**

**Materials are then returned to WPPL to be put back into circulation for someone else to enjoy after they are scanned back in!**

*This process is similar for homebound patrons who can either choose their own materials (via our website or phone call) or would like outreach to choose for them based on their preferences. Materials are then delivered to their home.

Outreach Programs

In addition to bringing materials to senior facilities (long term care, independent living, assisted living, and memory care), a monthly slideshow presentation is given. The slideshow includes pictures, quotes, and videos. A monthly program is also presented at the Westlake Community Center and Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation.
(Below are some examples of topics this past year.)

If you or someone you know needs homebound services or lives in a facility in Westlake, feel free to call 440-250-5448, text only # 440-941-7436

Happy National Library Week from the Outreach department!

Sarah Beebe

Sarah is an Outreach Specialist at WPPL who brings materials and presentations to senior living facilities and patrons that are homebound in the Westlake Community.