Oswego Library District Acquires Vehicle to Enhance Community Outreach

The Oswego Public Library District is set to expand its services with the introduction of a new outreach vehicle, expected to be operational by the summer of 2024. The district recently acquired this vehicle for approximately $215,000, allowing it to reach schools, homes, and other community locations more effectively.

Library District Director Krista Katzen emphasized the significance of this addition, stating, “It’s basically like bringing a library to your neighborhood.” The vehicle will enable visits to schools and nursing homes, as well as scheduled stops in underserved areas. This expansion comes in response to the district’s growing population, which has now surpassed 70,000 residents across more than 52 square miles in parts of Kendall, Will, and Kane counties.

The initiative to acquire this outreach vehicle was spearheaded by former director Sarah Skilton, who retired in September 2023 after nearly three decades of service. Katzen noted Skilton’s vital role in this effort, referring to her as “a huge driving force” behind the project.

Enhancing Accessibility and Convenience

The outreach vehicle aims to significantly enhance the work of library district outreach manager Bill Thurston. Currently, Thurston’s outreach efforts are limited to what can fit in the trunk of his car. The new vehicle will facilitate a broader range of activities and services, including home deliveries for those who are unable to visit the library.

Katzen highlighted the vehicle’s potential to reach individuals who are homebound, whether temporarily or permanently. “There’s going to be options like long-term home delivery, where if somebody knows they’re physically not able to come to the library,” she explained. Additionally, there will be short-term options available for individuals who may be temporarily incapacitated, such as new parents.

The vehicle is equipped with a wheelchair lift, ensuring accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities. “You want it to be accessible if someone is in a wheelchair so they can also get on and look around just like anybody else,” Katzen added.

Community Engagement and Future Services

In addition to visiting schools and nursing homes, community members will have the opportunity to request a visit from the outreach vehicle through a form available on the library district’s website. “We’re thinking of hitting these locations that are further out and less easy to access our buildings,” Katzen noted, reflecting the district’s commitment to making library services more accessible.

In the previous year, the Oswego Public Library District recorded over 707,000 items checked out, underscoring the community’s engagement with library services. The new vehicle represents a significant investment in the district’s ability to meet the needs of its growing population and to enhance the overall library experience.

For more information about the Oswego Public Library District and its services, visit their official website at oswego.lib.il.us.