Library Outreach to Marginalized Populations
Description
This webinar features two presentations from public library colleagues who are conducting innovative outreach to marginalized populations. Attendees will gain practical approaches to bolster inclusive outreach in their own libraries.
From Visit to Belonging: Inreach to Multilingual Seniors Through Creative Engagement and Access
Fevean Keflom, HR Coordinator and Ria Vimal, Youth Services Librarian, Worthington Libraries
The first presentation of the session demonstrates a successful inreach program to seniors from Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS). The program included a brief presentation of libraries around the world, a curated tour that highlighted resources for New Americans and our diverse collection, and included live Nepali, Hindi and Kiswahili translations. The event concluded with a craft that supported language learning, addressed social isolation, and provided a creative outlet for the seniors. Ultimately, the inreach promoted the library as a welcoming space for older immigrant and refugee populations and demonstrated a replicable model for inreach and culturally responsive programming.
Removing the Margins: Library Service to Underserved Patrons
Melody Yoder, Librarian I, Lima Public Library
Lima Public Library has found ways to include patrons who might otherwise live outside the boundaries of what we think library service should be. The second presentation of this session explores a few of the ways Melody Yoder has provided outreach to marginalized communities including community members in correctional facilities, addiction treatment programs, special needs programs, and the local court system. In addition to these specific outreach efforts, attendees will also learn about ways these experiences shaped in-library services to be more inclusive.
Who Should Attend
Anyone working in outreach and communications.
Presenters
Fevean Keflom HR Coordinator - Worthington Libraries
Fevean Keflom is the HR Coordinator at Worthington Libraries, where her work spans from leading system wide hiring and recruitment practices, to coordinating with staff on outreach initiatives. She is a first-generation Eritrean born in Columbus, Ohio. She received her Bachelor's in Communications and Public Relations certificate from the University of Cincinnati and her Master's in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management from the School of International Training. Fevean is a 2024 graduate of the YWCA Kathy Duffy-Espy Leadership for Social Change Program and the 2025 City of Columbus New American Leadership Academy.
Melody Yoder Adult Services Reference Librarian
Melody Yoder earned her BA in elementary education from Mount Union College in 1998 and her MLIS degree from Kent State University in 2017 after a 15-year career in education and school librarianship. She came to Lima Public Library in 2018 as an adult services reference librarian. She presented programming at Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution for three years and has since been working with Lima Municipal Court staff to provide opportunities to patrons on parole or probation as well as those in drug and alcohol treatment court. She has also worked with the community of neurodivergent adults in the area to make library programming more inclusive. Outside the library, Melody likes to craft, cook, spend time with her family, and spoil her cat.
Ria Vimal Youth Services Librarian
Ria Vimal is a Youth Services Librarian at Worthington Libraries, where she serves children and teens through library services, collections, and outreach initiatives. With a background in museums and outreach education, she draws on a range of experiences to support youth engagement. Ria earned her Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University and her bachelor's degree in Anthropology from The Ohio State University.
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