The Outreach Services Librarian for Maribyrnong Library Service has a joint role. Chiara runs a busy Home Library Service (assisted by volunteers) and also leads the Library’s Outreach Program.

 

As part of her outreach role, Chiara visits many organisations in the municipality monthly, with bulk loans of materials for the participants/residents. These include the Maribyrnong Detention Centre, Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, High Point Industries (a sheltered workshop) and several nursing homes. Programs in these centres, such as Book and DVD Discussion Groups, have been held in the past but are no longer viable due to security restrictions in some instances.

 

Chiara promotes outreach services through many avenues. She has established links with relevant Council Departments, in particular Aged and Diversity Services. She liaises with the local District Nurses who refer patrons to Chiara on a regular basis. Chiara has establish strong connections with Cohealth. In partnership with Cohealth she plans to offer digital literacy programs for indigenous people based around health issues and how to access reliable information. Another idea is to establish a pop-up library and digital literacy sessions within community housing locations.

 

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“I see at first hand the strong link between social isolation and depression.” Chiara explains. “This is true even within institutions such as nursing homes. When people first arrive they suffer loneliness and isolation even though they are surrounded by other people.” She hopes to establish Words on Wheels programs at the nursing homes she already visits.

 

Chiara sees a need to expand outreach through contact with private operators of home services to the aged and people with disabilities. This is an increasing trend in service provision. She plans to deliver library promotional material to local medical centres.

 

In other areas of Maribyrnong Library Service, “inreach”* is happening. A highly successful Community Conversation Program is held at the Footscray branch.  At Braybrook two Council youth workers attend the library for two afternoons per week. They sit and chat to young people and learn about their needs, offering assistance as required. There is also a Council social worker within the Braybrook Hub who is available for patron referral or advice to staff.

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*”inreach” refers to non-traditional services/programs provided within library spaces to meet the needs of socially isolated members of our community.