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Outreach Services

Outreach Services for Youth and Families

Salem Public Library strives to meet the educational, recreational, and literacy needs of youth at each stage of development. Youth Services staff offer a variety of library services and activities for parents, caregivers, educators, and youth in our community either in the library or as an outreach event. Take a Virtual Tour of Salem Public Library. We are happy to assist you in finding the best option for your organization. Call us at 503-588-6315.

Group Visits to the Library

Youth Services staff are happy to provide storytimes for groups of 15 or more children and their caregivers and/or library tours for groups of 8-20 children or teens by appointment during the school year. Groups may include a visit to the Discovery Room when available. We look forward to seeing you in the library!

Request a group visit

Early Literacy Outreach

Youth Services staff are available by appointment to provide storytimes and early literacy teaching at headstarts, day cares, and other institutions serving a minimum of 15 children ages 0 – 5.

Request an early literacy outreach visit

Pop-up Library Program or Outreach

Library staff provides pop-up library services to classrooms, organizations, and community events upon request based on staff availability. Services may include: 

  • Fun and engaging library introduction
  • Book checkout
  • Library cards for students
  • Storytime
  • Instruction on using eBook and eResources
  • Literacy or STEAM Programs and activities

Request a library program or outreach visit

R.E.A.D. While You Wait Tiny Library Delivery

Salem Public Library's R.E.A.D. While You Wait Literacy Outreach is a specially grant-funded program that provides a tote of books to organizations serving families with children and teens in underserved communities in Salem, Oregon. Each tote serves as a "mini library branch" that includes a small collection of un-cataloged books for children and teens from Salem Public Library, along with information about how to access additional library services. Totes are available to participating organizations in the City of Salem. This program is funded by the Oregon Ready to Read Grant, Salem Rotary Club, and Salem Library Foundation. Items in these tiny libraries do not need to be returned to the library, and may be replenished when needed.

Request a R.E.A.D. While You Wait Tiny Library

R.E.A.D. Book Bundle Delivery

The R.E.A.D. Book Bundle delivery program serves classrooms, non-profit community organizations and institutions serving children, teens, and families. Schools and partner organizations may receive a delivery of 30 - 50 items checked out from the library’s grant-funded outreach collection for in-facility circulation. Checkout period of delivered items will be agreed upon prior to delivery and can be between 6 and 8 weeks. Items are checked out with an outreach/educator library card. Each Book Bundle comes with application packets and information for families to sign up to receive library cards and access library services. This program is sponsored, in part, by the Assistance League of Salem-Keizer.

Request a Book Bundle Delivery

Outreach/Educator Library Cards

The Outreach/Educator Library Card is available to City agencies, schools, non-profit organizations, or institutions that are within the Salem city limits or part of the Salem-Keizer School District. Outreach/Educator Library cards allow users to check out books from the library’s grant-funded outreach collection. Apply for an outreach/educator card, sign up online or contact libraryyouthservices@cityofsalem.net to request an outreach library card application.

R.E.A.D. School Outreach

During the school year, Salem Public Library, in partnership with The Assistance League of Salem-Keizer, is available to provide a R.E.A.D. Outreach visit by appointment on a limited basis to 1st grade classes and 1/2 blends in the Salem-Keizer School District, subject to staff and volunteer availability. Teachers may request:

Teacher Request Form