Provides Materials & Teleconferencing
Queens Borough Public Library’s award-winning “Mail A Book” program with interactive programming is working with the city Department of Education (DOE) to reach out to 225 children and teens in the Home Instruction Program in Queens who receive long-term or short-term education at home due to health issues.
The Mail A Book program provides free interactive programs via teleconference or Skype. Participants can converse with each other as well as with the program presenters at the library. In some cases, the callers join in a program that is already happening at the library such as an author discussion or music concert.
At other times, the program is being held solely for the benefit of the callers.
The library will be holding sessions of particular interest to young people such as teen chat. It will help bring socialization and a fuller library experience.
A chat group composed of homebound seniors already meets via teleconference twice a week. Friendships have developed among people who otherwise would not have that opportunity.
Queens Library’s Mail A Book program was recognized in 2011 by a division of the American Library Association and the National Organization on Disability’s ASCLA/ KLAS/NOD Award.
Through Mail A Book, the students may have library materials mailed to their home for free along with a postage-paid envelope to return them. They may request books, large-print books, music CDs, audio books or videos in English and other language.
Following the pilot program, Mail A Book plans to work with the DOE to expand the initiative across the five boroughs.
Homebound residents of any age are invited to receive materials and participate in programs through Mail A Book. For further information, call 1-718-776-6800 or visit www.queenslibrary.org.
