Bayside Library Service has been very proactive in serving their community.  They cater for more traditional forms of outreach by serving over 100 clients via Home Library Service, building on from this they have developed a relationship for Home Library Service with Aged Care Facilities and Council (Aged Care Department) for assessments of clients.  They also hold Bibliotherapy sessions where library staff read short stories and poetry to residents living in Aged Care Facilities.

 

They have also established a number of relationships with local government and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs),

• with the local Centrelink to train staff and provide training for customers.

• Relationships has been established with Elwood and St Kilda Learning Centre,

• Family Life, attendances at Keith Street Public Housing Estate

• Dad's playgroup storytime @ Highett Neighbourhood House

• Staff work with St Vincents de Paul and Elsternwick Estate residents.

• Bayley House which is a day care for people with disabilities.

• Bayside City Council.

• Department of Housing,

• Aged Care Facilities,

• Community Centres (including people non-English background) - Russian, Greek, Italian.

 

Bayside also participate in local meetings for - Bayside Social Housing Network which includes representatives from Bayside City Council, local police, Family Life, Sandy Beach Centre, Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau and are working together to improve life for residents living in Public Housing Estates.

Some of the ways the library is doing this:

 

1. Public Housing Estates:

A. Coordinate an all aged and afterschool program at Elsternwick Estate fortnightly.

Library staff and volunteers provide cooking, reading, computers with internet, art therapy, advocacy services for residents.

Partner with Elwood St Kilda Neighbourhood Learning Centre and Youth Department Bayside City Council.

B. . Partner with Family Life @ Dunkley Fox Housing Estate fortnightly with their afterschool Homework Club.

C.. Monthly attendance at Keith Street, Hampton East to run storytimes for vulnerable families.

 

The outreach that Bayside is performing really highlights the importance of successful partnerships when looking at innovative ways to connect with socially isolated clients.    They also demonstrate ways in which library services can provide non traditional outreach services to all areas of the community that doesn’t include a high cost to provide.