Home Library Services Group.Guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. for Australian Home Library Services 1 Introduction 1.1 The Australian Library and Information Association The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is a professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector. Based in Canberra, its membership is open to individuals and organisations, the only membership requirement is an interest in the (ALIA) supports social inclusion and asserts that all Australians should therefore have access to the resources and services of a public library, regardless of their circumstances CIRCUMSTANCES, evidence. The particulars which accompany a fact. 2. The facts proved are either possible or impossible, ordinary and probable, or extraordinary and improbable, recent or ancient; they may have happened near us, or afar off; they are public or . Home Library Service (HLS (Hue Lightness Saturation) A color space that is closely related to HSB, except that Brightness is called Lightness and is measured from 0 to 1 rather than from 0 to 100%. See HSB. ) users have the same rights as other library users and should receive an equal standard of service. The HLS should be a mainstreamed, integral, part of a public library service, with priority equal to other services of the library 1.2 Home Library Services (HLS) exist to provide services to users who through reasons including disability, illness and limited mobility are unable to access public libraries in person 1.3 These guidelines are intended to be used in establishing, providing and evaluating a Home Library Service of a public library. 1.4 Parts of these guidelines may also be relevant to other libraries, including special libraries, which provide home based library services 1.5 The position of the HLS Coordinator is generally a position for a qualified librarian (1) A person who works in the data library and keeps track of the tapes and disks that are stored and logged out for use. Also known as a "file librarian" or "media librarian." See data library. (2) See CA-Librarian. because of the responsibilities, judgements and duties involved 2 User eligibility 2.1 Home Library Services are provided to people who are unable to access a public library in person, including * People who have illnesses or disabilities which prevent them from accessing a library. These conditions may be temporary, recurring re·cur intr.v. re·curred, re·cur·ring, re·curs 1. To happen, come up, or show up again or repeatedly. 2. To return to one's attention or memory. 3. To return in thought or discourse. or permanent * People who are able to visit a library, but because of frailty frailty Vox populi A state of delicacy or weakness which, which encompasses age-related fragility, in particular osteoporosis. See FICSIT, Osteoporosis. or disability are unable to carry items home * People who live in residential establishments, such as nursing homes, hostels, supported accommodation houses, hospitals or prisons * People who are engaged in full time care for people * Young children who are in the care of any of the above groups 2.2 There should be no age restrictions for HLS members 2.3 Reassessment Reassessment The process of re-determining the value of property or land for tax purposes. Notes: Property is usually reassessed on an annual basis. You may request a "reassessment" if you disagree with your assessment. of eligibility should be undertaken by the HLS Coordinator 2.3.1 If users become more mobile, they should be encouraged to visit their library, or to use a community bus service 3 User profiles 3.1 An initial interview should ascertain eligibility for the HLS and ensure that the HLS is the most appropriate option 3.1.1 An assessment interview is to discover an eligible user's requirements of the HLS. This interview should be conducted by the HLS Coordinator on the first visit to a new user. They should be registered as a library member at this stage if required 3.1.2 Contact by the HLS Coordinator should precede an assessment visit 3.1.3 At the assessment interview, information is collected for the user profile, which is used to select materials 3.1.4 Information to be collected may include * Preferred genres and subjects * Suitable day and time for HLS visits * Quantity of items needed * Format or formats of library materials needed * Relevant medical conditions See carpal tunnel syndrome, computer vision syndrome, dry eyes and deep vein thrombosis. * Contact person in an emergency * Access information--for example, the patron may live in a flat at the rear of a house 3.1.5 The confidentiality of information given by HLS patrons must be maintained 3.2 Reassessment 3.2.1 Because needs and interests may change over time, details in the user profile should be verified regularly 3.2.2 Feedback from users should be encouraged, and any changes in requirements or interests noted 4 Organisation 4.1 Home Library Services may be organised in different ways. The aim is to meet the information, recreation, cultural and education needs by bringing the service to the user 4.1.1 Home Library Service users are entitled en·ti·tle tr.v. en·ti·tled, en·ti·tling, en·ti·tles 1. To give a name or title to. 2. To furnish with a right or claim to something: to the same standard of service as other library users, and should therefore receive service from trained staff. That is, the staff member should be of the same level of training which would normally be available to the user visiting the library in person. For example, if a librarian staffs the information desk at the library, a librarian should also handle all information requests from HLS users 4.1.2 The HLS should be able to cater for people with temporary or permanent conditions, and fulfil ful·fill also ful·fil tr.v. ful·filled, ful·fill·ing, ful·fills also ful·fils 1. To bring into actuality; effect: fulfilled their promises. 2. individual requirements 4.2 Delivery methods 4.2.1 Methods of delivery may include * Visits to individual users, with items selected by library staff and issued to users before visits * Visits to individual users, with users themselves choosing from a larger number of items * Visits to users in residential establishments * Deposit stations/bulk loans at residential establishment. In deposit stations or bulk loans, items are left at a designated site with a nominated nom·i·nate tr.v. nom·i·nat·ed, nom·i·nat·ing, nom·i·nates 1. To propose by name as a candidate, especially for election. 2. To designate or appoint to an office, responsibility, or honor. person at the residential establishment taking responsibility for the items * Visiting libraries at residential establishments * Delivery of items for an eligible user in the library, but who is unable to take the items home 4.2.2 Visits to individual HLS users and residential establishments should be regular 4.2.3 The average duration of visits to individual users should be fifteen minutes 4.2.4 Delivery methods depend upon local circumstances, staffing levels, available resources and user needs 4.3 Resources 4.3.1 Users should have access to all resources held by the library, and to the resources of other libraries through the interlibrary in·ter·li·brar·y adj. Existing or occurring between or involving two or more libraries: an interlibrary loan; an interlibrary network. loan. Booklists, reading guides and other promotional material should be made available to them 4.3.2 A collection of resources primarily for use by the HLS may be maintained. This would include resources in a range of formats, for example standard print and large print books and talking books talk·ing book n. A recorded reading of a book, designed for use by the visually impaired. Talking Book Noun Trademark a recording of a book, designed to be used by the blind Noun 4.3.3 A suitable vehicle for delivery of materials to users should be provided. The vehicle should be primarily for use by the HLS and garaged close to the HLS Coordinator's base. When purchasing and modifying vehicles, occupational health and safety issues should be considered 4.3.4 Equipment to enable users to use resources should be provided 4.3.5 Advice on, facilitation Facilitation The process of providing a market for a security. Normally, this refers to bids and offers made for large blocks of securities, such as those traded by institutions. of, and training in internet access See how to access the Internet. for the HLS user should be provided 4.3.6 Resources required by a Home Library Service may include * A direct telephone line * A direct fax line * Mobile telephones * Clothing for staff * Delivering containers * A computer terminal and work station close to the loading bay/parking area * Shelving shelv·ing n. 1. Shelves considered as a group. 2. Material for shelves. 3. An incline; a slope. shelving Noun 1. material for shelves 2. space for the HLS collection * Trolleys--a lightweight trolley trolley: see streetcar. for deliveries and a trolley for the work area * Badges and cards to identify HLS staff or volunteers on delivery rounds 4.4 Staffing 4.4.1 Administration, planning and coordination of the service should be by trained staff 4.4.2 Library staff should be responsible for maintaining user interest profiles, selecting materials, and delivery of materials 4.4.3 If used, volunteers should be screened, selected, trained, and orientated o·ri·en·tate v. o·ri·en·tat·ed, o·ri·en·tat·ing, o·ri·en·tates v.tr. To orient: "He . . . to their work by the HLS Coordinator 4.4.4 HLS work is physically and emotionally draining. HLS staff should not be involved in visits for more than four days per week 4.4.5 Two people should visit HLS users together, for reasons of occupational health and safety and security 4.4.6 Staffing levels should be determined from the number of users of the HLS, the frequency of visits, the level of service provided, the needs of patrons, and local conditions 4.4.7 In the absence of HLS staff, other adequately trained library staff should be available to maintain continuity of service 4.5 Skills Development 4.5.1 Staff in the HLS area should have the opportunity to undertake internal or external training in areas such as * Interpersonal skills "Interpersonal skills" refers to mental and communicative algorithms applied during social communications and interactions in order to reach certain effects or results. The term "interpersonal skills" is used often in business contexts to refer to the measure of a person's ability * Manual handling * Advanced driving skills * Ageing awareness * Communicating with people with disabilities * Stress management * First aid (minimum Level One St John Ambulance, Australia) * Personal safety 4.6 Security 4.6.1 HLS staff have little control over their working environments when they are away from library premises. HLS staff should be aware of potential threats to their safety and should receive appropriate training in managing dangerous situations 4.6.2 Security devices such as mobile telephones, two way radios and personal alarms should be available to staff 5 Promotion 5.1 Staff of HLS should maintain close links with providers of other community and social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales likely to serve housebound house·bound adj. Confined to one's home, as by illness. politically correct Politically sensitive adjective people, eg workers with `meals on wheels' and community nursing services. People involved in the provision of such services are likely to be major sources of referrals to Home Library Services. Similarly, people visiting HLS users should be informed about community services and communicate that information 5.2 Council community directories, websites, newspapers and other local publications should be used to promote home library services 5.3 The HLS Coordinator should identify local residential establishments, ensure that managements are aware of the HLS and work with them to determine the service needed |
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