Blue Mountains Library was Highly Commended in the NSW Public Libraries Innovation In Outreach Services Awards for their Pop-Up Library @ Home service. These awards provide recognition for the high-quality outreach programs and services provided by public libraries across New South Wales.
Introduced as part of Council's Good Neighbour program to service vulnerable members of the community self-isolating due to COVID-19, Pop-Up Library @ Home provides books and DVDs delivered to their door to keep.
Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill said: "Library staff showed creativity, agility and empathy in their response to the restrictions the pandemic placed on some Blue Mountains residents and ensured they were able to remain connected to those services that add to their quality of life."
To find the 'perfect match' between client and library materials, individuals who requested access to the service were 'interviewed' by library staff regarding their format, genre and other preferences.
Librarians at Katoomba Library were then tasked with fulfilling requests. All requests were typically compiled and delivered within a few days of being received with deliveries made to the door in a contactless and COVID-safe manner by the Library courier service.
To date, more than 200 requests have been fulfilled since the service was launched in April 2020. A high volume of feedback - all positive - has been received including comments such as: "Wonderful Library staff. Not only will the TBs (talking books) help me but the thoughtfulness of you all has brought brightness into my life at a difficult time" and "Whoever is selecting these books for me is amazing. It's like a miracle".
To learn more about Blue Mountains Library visit: https://library.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/
Photo: Shane Clancy and Damien Farrington - from Award sponsor Library AV & Large Print - and Community, Library & Customer Services Manager Vicki Edmund, Reference & Marketing Librarian Theresa Lock and Library Assistant Susan Ambler.
