Outreaching Library Services (5cr)

Objective

After the course, students are able to tell the meaning of outreaching services in a library work. They are able to separate different patron groups in outreaching work. Students are able to use different working methods in planning and implementing library services to different patron groups. Students can analyze special characteristics of mobile library, institutional libraries and home delivery services

Content

- reaching and meeting new patron groups
- co-operation with local, regional organizations and other partners
- domiciliary and institutional services
- home delivery service
- mobile library service

Qualifications

No prerequisites.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Satisfactory (1-2)
The student is able to tell the most important tasks and customer groups of the outreaching library services in a public library. S/he is able to tell the most important partners in co-operation and what kind of co-operation is done.

Good (3-4)
The student is able to analyse the tasks of outreaching library services in a public library. The student is able to identify the important organizations of co-operation and s/he is able to tell what kind of co-operation is done. S/he is able to tell some new possibilities of co-operation.

Excellent (5)
The student is able to tell a diversified analysis of the tasks and the future of outreaching library services in a public library and also as a part of society. The student is able to identify the important organizations of co-operation and s/he is able to tell what kind of co-operation is done. S/he is able to tell some new possibilities of co-operation.

Materials

Guidelines for libraries serving hospital patients and the elderly and disabled in long-term care facilities. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions IFLA Professional Reports, Nr. 61/2000.
Available: http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/publications/professional-report/61.pdf

Librarians as community partners: an outreach handbook. Edited by Carol Smallwood. American library Association 2010.
Available: http://libts.seamk.fi:2048/login?url=http://site.ebrary.com/lib/seamkebrary/docDetail.action?docID=10469305 (Ebrary)

Mobile Library Guidelines. IFLA Professional Report No. 123 / 2010.
Available: http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/publications/professional-report/123.pdf

Other materials to be announced at the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures, groupwork, assignments.