National Library Outreach Day

Today, GPL joins communities from across the country in observing National Library Outreach Day. Formerly known as National Bookmobile Day, this day now includes libraries without bookmobiles (like GPL). Now all services that take place outside their library’s walls are celebrated.

Reaching out to those in our community is an important service that we provide. Whether it’s reading a story to kids in Gretna daycare, or bringing audio books to residents in Gretna care facilities, providing library services isn’t confined only within library walls.

– Krissy Reed, GPL Library Director

While GPL doesn’t have a dedicated outreach librarian, the three programming librarians love going into Gretna as often as possible.

Starting with the youngest Gretna community members, Children’s Librarian Jennifer will put together special storytimes for daycare and preschool visits. She’s also been to all of Gretna’s elementary schools doing a variety of outreach. Things like: sharing news about programming, attending assemblies, or even bringing a special costume character to the schools’ libraries.

Moving up to middle and high schoolers, our new Young Adult Librarian Heba will continue the tradition of school visits. From perler bead crafts to book talks – GPL’s YA Librarians have brought library programming to schools. They often work with the school librarian so that these special events tie into the students’ curriculum whenever possible.

Ashley, the Adult Services Librarian, makes regular visits to Gretna’s assisted living and retirement homes. She brings activities, and a selection of books that Gretna seniors can borrow and enjoy.

Reach Out About Outreach

GPL is always on the lookout for ways to further enrich the wonderful Gretna community. If you have ideas for a program outside of the library, then contact us. Even if it’s not currently a program that is feasible, that could change in the future. It might even inspire a program within the library – you never know unless you share.

This annual celebration’s sponsors are the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS), and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL). It’s a time that libraries highlight outreach services and for library advocates to make their support known. You can do this by thanking library staff (we’ll try not to blush too hard), write an e-mail to the library, or voice your support to community leaders.