County and city libraries expand outreach with kiosk, mobile outreach vehicle and expanded services for non-English speakers

Library staff reported to the Board of Supervisors on recent service expansions across county contract communities, including a new 24-hour automated kiosk on the west side of Council Bluffs, plans for a mobile outreach vehicle and expanded programs that reached children and non-English-speaking residents.

The presenter said the kiosk at Cochran Park holds about 200 items, has a measurable monthly turnover and serves nearby schools and families for checkouts and returns outside normal library hours. The kiosk was funded by multiple partners, including the City of Council Bluffs, the Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, the Community Foundation for Southwest Iowa and the Iowa West Foundation.

Staff also described a planned outreach vehicle intended primarily for technology assistance, library-card signup and information, rather than to serve as a traditional bookmobile. Libraries reported summer-camp registration, STEM programming and partnerships with area schools; one library described a “mom sharing shelf,” a toy-sharing shelf, a STEM room used heavily after school, and twice-weekly English-language classes and translator devices purchased with a $500 Pottawattamie County community grant.

Library representatives said their combined activities increase access for residents who cannot visit library branches during standard hours or who need direct assistance with technology, printing, forms and language translation.