 Serving public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins Counties
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Outreach Services
Mission
Our mission is to help our member libraries meet the library and information needs of underserved individuals within Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. Our targeted outreach populations include:
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individuals who are 50+ years old;
• individuals with visual, physical, or developmental
disabilities;
• residents of institutional facilities;
• ethnic minorities;
• individuals with an educational disadvantage;
• job seekers;
• individuals who are geographically isolated;
• incarcerated individuals and individuals with criminal
records.
Annual Outreach Award
This award is awarded each year to a local library in recognition of outstanding service to underserved groups and people with special needs. Anyone affiliated with a member library is eligible to submit a nomination, including staff, patrons, volunteers, and trustees. Self nominations are encouraged!
General Information:
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Our judging criteria gives equal weight to three areas: Organization, Innovation, and Success.
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We take the size of each library and the needs of their communities heavily into consideration when judging. Our main consideration is the extent to which a library is thoughtfully recognizing and responding to outreach needs in their community - no matter how large or small!
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We heartily encourage submissions for both new and ongoing projects. Once received, we also keep them for consideration in future years.
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The nomination process is very flexible. It can be for a library’s overall outreach efforts, or for a specific outreach activity that it provides. You can specify any individual or group affiliated with the library as the nominee, or simply nominate the library as a whole.
What is library
outreach?
Library outreach can be any program, resource, partnership, service, or
activity that helps targeted outreach populations use library resources.
Just a few examples would include:
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Adding video games to the library’s collection to attract reluctant
readers with an educational disadvantage
•
Working with a local nursing home to promote the adult summer reading
program to residents
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Computer workshops aimed at jobseekers
•
Drafting a new policy to help children with special needs participate in
storytime
If you have questions or
would like more information, please
contact Corinne Weible at 607-273-4074
x 228 or cweible@flls.org.
FLLS Outreach News
Our quarterly newsletter
allows you to keep up with our latest news and updates. If you'd like to be
added to the mailing list, please contact Corinne Weible at 607-273-4074
x 228 or cweible@flls.org.
Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council (COSAC)
The
Coordinated Outreach Services Advisory Council (COSAC) advises FLLS's Outreach Department,
assists in the evaluations of its coordinated outreach activities, and
works to promote collaborative efforts and partnerships. The Council is
comprised of a mix of library directors and representatives from local human service agencies
and institutions who serve our targeted
outreach populations.
COSAC Members:
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Andrea Abbott, Auburn Correctional Facility
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Melinda Appleby, Five Points Correctional Facility
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Michael Caraher, Seneca Falls Library
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Georgianna Horvath, Broome/Tioga Literacy Volunteers
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Saoirse McClory, Hospicare
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Sally Otis, Hazard Library
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Diana Rumsey, Food Bank of the Southern Tier
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Monica Voionmaa, Finger Lakes Independence Center