[Michlib-l] Collection of all the answers to the Collection development for new Homebound Services

Michael Howey michaelh at ropl.org
Mon Aug 6 11:06:22 EDT 2018 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to all the answered the following question:  The Royal Oak Public
Library is going to starting a Homebound program in the near future. We
will be mailing out books, only books for now, to patrons with mobility
issues. For those libraries with Homebound services, I am curious what
areas of your collection seemed to get checked out more by those using the
service? I am trying to get an idea on what should be purchased more in
anticipation on this new service. Here are all the responding posts to the
question.


Hi Mick,



Our entire collection is available to our homebound patrons, and they run
the gamut on what they check out: magazines, DVDs, large print (fiction &
mysteries), biographies, regular print fiction, and romances.  We have not
had anyone ask for music or audiobooks yet.



Hope this helps,



Holly Hentz

Director

Hamburg Township Library

10411 Merrill Rd
<https://maps.google.com/?q=10411+Merrill+Rd&entry=gmail&source=g>.  P.O.
Box 247

Hamburg, MI  48139

810.231.1771

Hamburglibrary.org

Hi!  We’ve been collecting information on this type of program for some
time now – both mail and physical delivery   I’ll attach it in case you are
interested,  but I’m sure you have probably seen some of it.  If possible,
could you let me know what your policy is or post the responses to your
query below?  Thank you!



Melissa


I would be interested in what you find out. 😊


Julie Censke

Colon Township Library

(269) 432-3958


Mick,



At the Jackson District Library, our homebound often prefer Large Print
Books and Books on CD. About 40-60% will also take regular print books.
Our readers tend to ask for much the same types of fiction as anyone else.
Different readers ask for different things, like Patterson, Steel, and
other bestselling authors.  Some prefer Christian fiction and clean romance
and family stories, while others are happy to get more spice in their
romance novels.  Your homebound readers will probably reflect the same
reading interests as your general patron population. My patrons are
homebound for a variety of reasons. Age, general health, mobility, vision
issues, and lack of transportation can create a long-term, temporary, or
seasonal need for home delivery. I have served an adult on a tether, and a
teen dealing with health problems.  We check out and deliver all media, as
well as MelCat requests.  Let me know if you have any questions.



Marcia Young

Outreach Services

Jackson District Library

244 W. Michigan Ave.
<https://maps.google.com/?q=244+W.+Michigan+Ave.+%0D%0A+Jackson,+MI+49201&entry=gmail&source=g>

Jackson, MI
<https://maps.google.com/?q=244+W.+Michigan+Ave.+%0D%0A+Jackson,+MI+49201&entry=gmail&source=g>
   49201
<https://maps.google.com/?q=244+W.+Michigan+Ave.+%0D%0A+Jackson,+MI+49201&entry=gmail&source=g>

517-788-4087 ext. 1343

youngma at myjdl.com

Kristen Tait <kristen.tait at baldwinlib.org>
Jul 31 (6 days ago)
to me
Hey Mick, so glad this job is moving forward for you!  I’m sure you
probably have talked to Sarah about this but it’s large print, audiobooks,
and sometimes movies (Classic collection is always a big hit) that we
usually send out.  Any fiction that’s new is what is usually requested
specifically by our patrons, and biographies are also popular.  I know you
aren’t starting with media too, but consider adding audiobooks if you can.
Good luck!

Kristen

Ps they also get some MeL items.  I don’t know how you want to handle that
part at Royal Oak, but we do send them with the MeL 3-week due date instead
of the extended 4-week one we use for these patrons.

Large print is very popular, and front runner genres both there and in
regular sized fiction are: westerns, inspirational, and romance.



*Hope E. Nobel, M.S.L.S.*

*Director*

*Tamarack District Library*

*P. O. Box 469*

*832 South Lincoln Avenue
<https://maps.google.com/?q=832+South+Lincoln+Avenue+Lakeview,+MI%C2%A0+48850+989&entry=gmail&source=g>*

*Lakeview, MI  48850
<https://maps.google.com/?q=832+South+Lincoln+Avenue+Lakeview,+MI%C2%A0+48850+989&entry=gmail&source=g>*

*989
<https://maps.google.com/?q=832+South+Lincoln+Avenue+Lakeview,+MI%C2%A0+48850+989&entry=gmail&source=g>.352.6274*

My past experience: The same stuff your other patrons like, a little more
large print, and mysteries slanted a little toward clean and cozy.
Connie

Since the Library is responsible for delivery and pickup of checked-out
items, we have a policy of not charging Outreach patrons overdue fines.
Patrons are still charged for lost items. Because of the 1 week checkout
for CDs and BOCDs, Outreach patrons are not allowed to request these items
from MelCat, but may request books.


Marcia Young
Outreach Services
Jackson District Library
244 W. Michigan Ave.
Jackson, MI 49201
517-788-4087 ext.1343
youngma at myjdl.com


Thought I'd forward this on to you folks on the Outreach Services Committee
listserve in case you hadn't seen this.

David M. Stokes
Adult Services Librarian
Adult Services Dept.
Milford Public Library
330 Family Dr.
<https://maps.google.com/?q=330+Family+Dr.+Milford,+MI+48381&entry=gmail&source=g>
Milford, MI 48381
<https://maps.google.com/?q=330+Family+Dr.+Milford,+MI+48381&entry=gmail&source=g>
248-684-0845, ext. 305
dstokes at milfordlibrary.info

Hi Mick –  Large Print best sellers, cozy mysteries and light romance would
be your best bet.  No fat books even if they’re best sellers (Homebound
patrons have a hard time holding heavy items).  Pay the extra for the
library binding if you can afford it as the paper covered large print do
NOT hold up well at all.  Don’t buy the $32.00 titles if you can help it as
sometimes the homebound stuff never comes back.  There are plenty of
alternatives out there.  Also, look at the larger print Love Inspired
paperbacks.  They’re CHEAP and a great way to fill up the collection with
disposable titles.  They have Love Inspired Romance and Love Inspired
Suspense.  Nonfiction is not as popular although best-selling biographies
do well.  If patrons need audio I would refer them to the Oakland Talking
Book Library.



Hope this helps and good luck!  Sandy



Sandy Gilmore, Head of Adult Services

Oxford Public Library

530 Pontiac Street
<https://maps.google.com/?q=530+Pontiac+Street+%0D%0A+Oxford,+MI+48371&entry=gmail&source=g>

Oxford, MI 48371
<https://maps.google.com/?q=530+Pontiac+Street+%0D%0A+Oxford,+MI+48371&entry=gmail&source=g>

(248) 628-3034

Hello Mick,



Our Books by Mail <http://www.cantonpl.org/node/books-mail> program here at
the Canton Public Library <http://www.cantonpl.org/> is a very popular
service. As far as print material goes, large print books are the most
circulated items for homebound patrons. Some patrons are able to read
regular print but even if they can, large print are the preferred choice.
Our Books by Mail participants read across all genres with Science Fiction
and Fantasy being the least popular. Many stick with one genre, i.e.
mystery, inspirational, suspense. Others prefer a variety and most will
read bestsellers. It really does depend on the patron and their reading
habits.



Additionally, books on CD are quite common among our participants given
their demographics.



Please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions,



Colleen



Colleen O’Brien-Brumley, Information Services Librarian

Canton Public Library

1200 S. Canton Center Rd.
<https://maps.google.com/?q=1200+S.+Canton+Center+Rd.+%0D%0A+Canton,+MI&entry=gmail&source=g>

Canton, MI
<https://maps.google.com/?q=1200+S.+Canton+Center+Rd.+%0D%0A+Canton,+MI&entry=gmail&source=g>
 48810

(734)397-0999 Ext. 1138

Adrienne Breznau
Jul 31 (6 days ago)
to me
Hi Mick!
Just curious-why are we limiting them to books only?  I feel like that
could be viewed as discriminatory...  I am looking forward to hearing your
thoughts on this. :-)

Adrienne

Adrienne Breznau
Head of Support Services
Royal Oak Public Library
222 E. Eleven Mile Road
<https://maps.google.com/?q=222+E.+Eleven+Mile+Road+Royal+Oak,+MI+48067&entry=gmail&source=g>
Royal Oak, MI 48067
<https://maps.google.com/?q=222+E.+Eleven+Mile+Road+Royal+Oak,+MI+48067&entry=gmail&source=g>

Tel: 248-246-3714

Michael Howey <michaelh at ropl.org>
Jul 31 (6 days ago)
to Adrienne
Hi Adrienne,

Books is only until we get the service running smoothly. We want to focus
on working out the kinks, getting use to the process, and initially sending
only books is a way to do that. I want to phase into other materials, and
ideas, as quickly as possible. As quickly as possible means a month or two.

Adrienne Breznau
Jul 31 (6 days ago)
to me
Is that because the due dates are different for DVD's?


Michael Howey <michaelh at ropl.org>
Jul 31 (6 days ago)
to Adrienne
Due dates were part of it. That we are not having overdue fines for patrons
in the service factored in.  Another part was that DVDs, CDs, magazines,
and paperbacks tend to have the greatest tendency not to make it back. I
would prefer to keep it as simple as possible until the kinks are worked
out. I foresee the city making sure they include return postage being the
biggest issue. I hope that I am overly concerned about that. This being
said, if only a few people sign up for the service, I would think we can
include other materials. But that would have to be run past Mary and Matt
first.




-- 
Mick Howey
Adult Services & Outreach Librarian
Ph. 248.246.3724
Royal Oak Public
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/222+W+Eleven+Mile+Rd,+Royal+Oak,+MI+48067/@42.4899026,-83.1481905,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8824cf424c1e2e91:0xa312de6feb5d6e3c!8m2!3d42.4899026!4d-83.1460018?hl=en>
Library
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/222+W+Eleven+Mile+Rd,+Royal+Oak,+MI+48067/@42.4899026,-83.1481905,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8824cf424c1e2e91:0xa312de6feb5d6e3c!8m2!3d42.4899026!4d-83.1460018?hl=en>
222 East 11 Mile Road
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/222+W+Eleven+Mile+Rd,+Royal+Oak,+MI+48067/@42.4899026,-83.1481905,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8824cf424c1e2e91:0xa312de6feb5d6e3c!8m2!3d42.4899026!4d-83.1460018?hl=en>
Royal Oak, Mi 48067
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/222+W+Eleven+Mile+Rd,+Royal+Oak,+MI+48067/@42.4899026,-83.1481905,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8824cf424c1e2e91:0xa312de6feb5d6e3c!8m2!3d42.4899026!4d-83.1460018?hl=en>
michaelh at ropl.org
ReThink RO <https://www.romi.gov/1231/Rethink-RO>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail3.mcls.org/pipermail/michlib-l/attachments/20180806/c06f3a75/attachment.html>

More information about the Michlib-l mailing list