Outreach Client Services
If you require any additional information in regards to Mini-branches and Outreach Services at Rochester Hills Public Library, please contact Mary Davis at 248-650-7152.
- Outreach Services
- Outreach Collections
- Low Vision Resources
- Mini-branches
- Oakland Talking Books Service
- Proctoring Exam Rules
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Outreach Services
Bookcart
An Outreach Services librarian provides bookcart service to residents at Sunrise Assisted Living on 500 East University Drive in Rochester. Bookcarts provide an opportunity for residents to select large print books, audio books and videos during biweekly visits to their rooms.
Books By Mail
A service provided to homebound residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township who are physically unable to come to the library due to a permanent or temporary disability or illness. Through this service, materials are mailed directly to your home at no charge. Some library materials are excluded from this service.
Resources for Educators
Educators who work in the library’s service area and are in good standing with either a resident or business library card may request library items to be delivered to their school.
The borrowed materials must be for educational purposes. Please allow at least one week for your request to be processed.
You can electronically request materials by filling out this form.
Mobility Aids
- Drive-up window provides ease of access for picking up library materials
- Mini Shopping carts are available for in-library use
- Wheelchair and walkers are available at the Information Desk
- Two motorized scooters similar to those found in grocery stores can be used inside the library by persons with valid library cards
Proctored Exams
Distance learning students who live or work in Rochester, Rochester Hills or Oakland Township may register to have their written or on-line exams proctored by Outreach Services librarians during regular library hours. Click for more information if you need an exam proctored. (See above tab for instructions).
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Outreach Collections
MYLE Kits
"Make Your Life Easier" Kits are centered on a theme. They each contain special products to try before you buy, and information to make your life easier when dealing with a new or continuing issue in your life. Themes include Arthritis, Parkinson's, Help Aids, Caregiver Activities & Games, and Sensory/ Autism.
Large Print Books
Stop in to select a large print book from our collection of just under 10,000 large print titles shelved at the main library or 15,000 volumes kept at the minibranch libraries, deposit collections and on the bookmobile. The Outreach Librarians are always available to help you in selecting materials.
Magnifiers
A variety of handheld and stand magnifiers as well as a closed-circuit television(CCTV) system that plugs into your own television are all available for checkout. Your can search for the magnifiers in the library catalog by typing low vision aid.
Literacy/ESL Resources
There is a special ESL and Basic Literacy Collection in the Adult Services Department for adults who are trying to improve their reading or English language skills. Books, audio tapes, DVDs and some CD-ROMs are available to check out. For additional Literacy and English language resources visit Multicultural Connections.
Deposit Collections
These browsing collections of popular titles are deposited for six month periods at local nursing and assisted living facilities:
- American House Elmwood
- Anthology of Rochester Hills
- Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital
- Medilodge
- Sunrise Assisted Living
- Waltonwood at Main
- Wellbridge of Rochester Hills
Caregiver Resources
Browse the non-fiction collection on the second floor when you are looking for information on Alzheimer's disease, selecting a nursing home, or pondering any question related to taking care of an elderly person.
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Low Vision Resources
Large Print Books
Stop in to select a large print book from our collection of just under 10,000 large print titles shelved at the main library or 15,000 volumes kept at the minibranch libraries, deposit collections and on the Bookmobile. The Outreach Librarians are always available to help you in selecting materials.
Adaptive Technology
Multiple desktops with magnifying software that enlarges images and text from 3.3x to 70x for low-sight persons are available for use in the Outreach Services Department. In addition, many computers have JAWS screen reader software for low-vision persons. Another computer is not for Internet use, but is solely for access to our ELLIS software, which enables customers to learn English. For more information on these devices contact Oakland Talking Book Services at (248) 650-5681.
Library Catalog
Make catalog.rhpl.org your favorite place to go when searching for information on low vision services and materials. The library catalog allows you to enlarge the size of print with a simple click of the mouse. Your search will be displayed in a much easier to read 17 point font.
Magnifiers
A variety of handheld and stand magnifiers as well as a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system that plugs into your own television are all available for checkout. Your can search for the magnifiers in the library catalog by typing low vision aid.
Audio Books
Downloadable books are available as well as recorded books on CD. CD players are available for loan to low vision and homebound customers.
Oakland Talking Book Service
Outreach Services staff will be happy to assist persons with low vision apply for service from the Oakland Talking Book Service.
Helpful Websites
- American Federation of the Blind (AFB) Directory of Services - Includes agencies and resources for people who are visually impaired.
- Bookshare - World's largest online library of digital books for people with "print disabilities."
- CaptionFish Movies - Allows users to search for accessible theaters by zip code(s).
- Center for Accessible Technology - Assistive technology resource center
- Described Movies - Lists DVD and Blu-ray versions of many popular movies that have a described video track.
- DRIS - Detroit Radio Information Service provides radio reading services.
- EASI - Equal Access to Software and Information
- Low Vision Gateway - Starting point to worldwide low-vision resources.
- Michigan Protection & Advocacy Center
- Michigan Adaptive Technology Center
- MoPix - Provides information to consumers interested in motion-picture access.
- Newsline - Free service to those who cannot read regular newsprint.
- Oakland Talking Book Service (O.T.B.S.)
Brochure
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Mini-branches
The Outreach Services Department provides library service to older persons throughout the community with mini-branch libraries located in the Older Persons Center and five retirement residences. At their mini-branches libraries older persons have access to library materials in a variety of formats including large print, best sellers, paperbacks, audio books and DVD's as well as to all main library materials via weekly deliveries.
Silla, who was volunteering at the OPC mini-branch since 1999, believes that the mini-branches offer great returns on investment to the library. "The mini-branches are cost effective to run because they are staffed entirely by volunteers and there is no cost in overhead to maintain the mini-branches because the independent owners are responsible for maintenance and heating and cooling fees. Basically, the only cost that RHPL incurs is the cost of materials and processing fees."
Avon on the Lake Mini-branch Library was established in 1998 in the clubhouse of a manufactured home community for older adults at 2600 Auburn Road in Rochester Hills. The collection includes large and regular print books, and audiobooks. A computer is available in the Library and many residents can be found using the computer throughout the week.
Avon Tower Mini-branch Library was established in 1980 in a HUD subsidized senior apartment building at 435 South Livernois in Rochester Hills. This popular materials collection includes large print books and magazines, as well as a magnifying system for residents with low vision.
Older Persons' Center (OPC) Mini-branch was established in 1983 at the former Woodward Elementary School. Currently located in the beautiful OPC building at 650 Letica Drive in Rochester, this library offers visitors over 3000 items including paperbacks, large print books, best sellers, audio books and magazines, as well as a magnifying system for residents with low vision.
Samaritas Mini-branch Library was established in 1980 in a HUD subsidized senior apartment building at 2566 Walton Boulevard in Rochester Hills. In 2007, the library was renovated and is now the centerpiece of the building. This browsing collection includes large print books, as well as, magazines and DVDs.
Waltonwood at University Mini-branch Library was established in 1989 at 3250 Walton Boulevard in Rochester Hills. Today the collection includes large print books, DVDs, and magazines.
For more information about mini-branches and outreach services, please contact Mary Davis at 248-650-7152
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Oakland Talking Books Service
This free service administered by the Rochester Hills Public Library, loans talking books and magazines, large print books, Braille and talking book players to eligible Oakland County residents of all ages. If you are unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations, you should qualify. A talking book player and materials will be mailed at no cost as Free Matter for the Blind.
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RHPL Outreach & Bookmobile Services Proctoring Policy
- The library’s Outreach & Bookmobile Services Department will proctor written and on-line exams for distance learners who live or work in Rochester, Rochester Hills or Oakland Township.
- Students are asked to register each semester with the Outreach Services Department prior to having exams mailed to the library. Students may register on the phone, on-line or in person. Appointments to take an exam will be scheduled after the testing material has been received in the mail. To register on-line click here.
- Students are required to hold a valid Rochester Hills Public Library card when registering. If a student does not have an active card, he or she can get one at the Circulation Desk any time between registering for the exam and taking it.
- If students move during a term or semester and are no longer eligible for a Rochester Hills Public Library card, the Outreach & Bookmobile Services Department will proctor exams only until the end of that term or semester.
- Students are asked to make an appointment at least a week in advance of the desired exam proctoring date.
- Exams are taken at the table in the public area of the Outreach & Bookmobile Services Department. If it is an on-line exam and the student does not have a laptop computer, he or she may borrow one from the Circulation Department. The proctoring librarian will answer telephones and assist library customers during the proctoring appointment.
- The Outreach Services Department is not able to promise the same proctor for every exam.
- The library does not charge for proctoring but if the distance learning institution requires that we mail the exams, then postage paid return envelopes must be included or the student must supply stamps for mailing.
- Generally, completed exams are mailed, emailed or faxed the following day.