At the beginning of this year, the Wayland Public Library unveiled a new program, Library on the Go, to get books into the hands of residents who are unable to visit the library.
“It removes the commute,” said Lindsey Warren, Outreach Services Coordinator at the Wayland Library. In September of last year, the library received a one year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for home delivery for people who could not access the library in person due to a permanent or temporary disability or other health related issue.
Warren was hired to manage the program and structured it after similar programs at other libraries, naming Wayland’s version “Library on the Go.” Preparation included finding and vetting volunteers to deliver the books and registering participants, many of whom are senior citizens, though the program is not limited by age.
There are currently almost 20 participants, and Warren hopes that with enough community interest, the library and town may fund a part time position to continue running the program after the grant expires this September.
Generating community interest means raising awareness of the program, and publicity has proven difficult, Warren admitted. “It’s hard to get the word out,” she said, especially as most patrons are elderly. “It’s kind of a hard population to reach.” They mostly hear about the program through word of mouth, such as a caregiver, friend or neighbor, rather than traditional marketing sources such as social media – though Warren has still made use of the library’s social media channels, as well as leaving brochures around town and giving presentations at assisted living facilities and the Council on Aging.
Delivery is handled by a group of seven volunteers who deliver books on a three week rotation. Participants are informed via email when their books are arriving. Library on the Go is not limited to books – any library materials can be delivered, with the exception of the Library of Things.
Interested residents can sign up online at the library website under “services” and “home delivery” or call the library and ask for Warren who will fill out the form over the phone. Printed forms can also be found at the library.
Warren hopes that if the program continues, it can be expanded beyond health issues. “To people who can’t get to the library for other reasons such as lack of a vehicle or other travel restrictions,” she said. “Anybody who would like books delivered.”
