Channel 1 Los Angeles
4/1/19
The Kiosks Provide Outreach to Underserved Communities, Like Transitional Age Youth, Low-Income Families, and Older Adults
LA County Library recently installed three book kiosks at community housing sites throughout Los Angeles County. The installation is a partnership with the LA County Department of Mental Health and the Community Development Commission/Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (CDC/HACoLA).
The kiosks were created to help support, educate, and provide outreach to underserved communities who may not easily be able to visit traditional library locations. Kiosk sites include:
Carmelitos Public Housing Facility in North Long Beach
Owned and operated by CDC/HACoLANueva Maravilla Public Housing Facility in East Los Angeles
Owned and operated by CDC/HACoLADavid & Maggie’s Café / Transitional Age Youth Housing Complex in La Verne
Owned and operated by David & Margaret Youth and Family Services, this location is also adjacent to the Department of Mental Health’s Cedar Springs Housing Facility for transitional age youth and low-income families.
While the Dave & Maggie’s location can be visited by the public, these kiosks are intended specifically for residents of each site, to make it easier for them to access library resources. Each kiosk has a rotating, browsable collection of 800 books, many of which have been tailored to residents’ needs, including books in Spanish and Simplified Chinese.
LA County Library is also offering programs at each site designed for the residents, including book clubs, cultural art programs, STEAM activities, and more. An Outreach Librarian makes regular trips to each site to sign residents up for library cards enabling them to use the kiosk at their leisure, conduct programs, and help teach residents about other library offerings, like online courses and resources.
Installation was completed in two phases – the kiosks at Carmelitos and David & Maggie’s were installed in November 2018, and the kiosk at Nueva Maravilla was installed in January 2019. Programming at the sites started even earlier, with programs at Dave & Maggie’s starting in August 2018, followed by programming at Carmelitos in November 2018, and Nueva Maravilla in January 2019. In this time, LA County Library has presented 35 programs, with over 300 residents attending. In February, Wi-Fi was activated at all 3 sites, and residents can access it using their library card.
The kiosks are continuing to evolve and grow to fit the needs and wants of the unique communities they serve. Beyond simply providing easy-to-access materials, the kiosks and associated programs have created a sense of community. Previously isolated residents have started to participate in the programs and have formed friendships.
“We are very proud of these new kiosks, which continue our efforts to reach customers outside library walls, and engage people where they live,” said LA County Library Director, Skye Patrick. “We are thankful to our partners—the Department of Mental Health and CDC/HACoLA—who have helped enable our presence at these three sites, which is allowing us to engage residents’ in a more impactful way.”
Dr. Jonathan Sherin, Director of Mental Health, said, “LA County Department of Mental Health is pleased to support this innovative project which breaks down barriers to care and promotes wellbeing for some of our most vulnerable populations. The kiosks support recovery by making information easily accessible and the book clubs promote healing through social connectedness. We hope this program provides richness and joy to the lives of residents for years to come.”
CDC/HACoLA Executive Director Monique King-Viehland said, “Thanks to LA County Library, these kiosks are breaking down barriers to give our public housing residents access to books, resources, and programs right in the heart of their community. It provides the opportunity for our residents of all ages to further explore their imaginations and rediscover their love of learning.”