Outreach

Recognizing that reading and literacy are important to all people, the Shrewsbury Public Library provides Outreach Service to those who are unable to access library services through regular means. This may include adults, teens or children who are ill, disabled, or temporarily or permanently confined to their residence. Outreach is also provided to educational institutions located in Shrewsbury. Outreach Services are provided at no charge, via the Shrewsbury Public Library Outreach Van.

Users of the Outreach Service must register with the Outreach Librarian. An application form can be provided to you by the Outreach Librarian. She can be reached at (508) 841-8535 or dmayo@cwmars.org. You can also find a copy of the application form on the library below.

• Outreach Services Application Form

The following Outreach Services are available:

Homebound Delivery

This service provides bi-weekly delivery of library materials. The Outreach Librarian will inquire as to the patrons’ reading, listening or viewing preferences and establish a mutually agreeable delivery schedule. Patrons can borrow books, videos, DVDs, magazines, audio books or any other circulating library item. Patrons may request specific titles or indicate borrowing interests.

Bi-Folkal Kits

The Library has a small collection of Bi-Folkal Kits available for loan to community groups. Each Bi-Folkal kit covers a topic that encourages recollection of a past experiences or historical events. The Library currently has Bi-Folkal Kits on the Remembering the Great Depression, train rides and school days. Each kit is roughly the size of a bowling bag and contains a variety of materials; slides, audio tapes, video and other objects pertinent to the given topic. The kits would be useful for activity and care directors at senior facilities, school teachers, scout leaders or any group wishing to conduct a historical program.

Deposit Collections for educational institutions

The Library provides deposit collections of books, audiovisual materials, learning kits, and other support materials to daycare centers, school classrooms and other educational settings in Shrewsbury. These materials are meant to be used with students in the classroom setting. The educator may request materials on a given subject and the Outreach Librarian, Young Adult Librarian and/or Children’s Librarian will gather appropriate materials that can be borrowed for an extended period. In order to best serve all outreach and general library customers, we ask for a minimum of one week advance notice for all deposit collection requests.

Deposit Collection materials can be delivered and picked up by the Outreach Librarian on a bi-weekly basis

We will do our best to accommodate rapid response requests, but do limit such requests to two or three items and may require pick-up by the teacher or other school representative.

Delivery and Pick-up from educational institutions

The Outreach Librarian can facilitate delivery of materials between Shrewsbury schools and the Shrewsbury Public Library. This can include materials that were mistakenly returned to the public library actually belonging to the school library, and vice versa.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

1. No overdue fines will accrue on materials provided by the Outreach Librarian
2. Outreach patrons are expected to pay replacement costs for lost or damaged materials
3. Extended loan periods may be arranged with the Outreach Librarian
4. Requests for specific materials may be made to the Outreach Librarian

Users of the Outreach Service must register with the Outreach Librarian. An application form can be provided to you by the Outreach Librarian. She can be reached at (508) 841-8535 or dmayo@cwmars.org. You can also find a copy of the application form on the library below.

• Outreach Services Application Form