ACPL Helps Young Readers Find Their “Library Joy” During Library Outreach Workers Day

In celebration of National Library Week’s Library Outreach Worker’s Day on April 21, the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is shining a spotlight on one of its longest-running and most impactful outreach efforts: the Juvenile Depository Collection (JDC) program. 

Since its beginnings in the 1970s, the JDC program has connected librarians with in-home daycare providers across Allen County—bringing books, storytimes, and early literacy support directly to children who may not otherwise have access to library services. 

Today, the program serves 60 daycare sites and reaches more than 3,000 children annually, from infants through pre-kindergarten. Through 193 visits in 2025 alone, ACPL librarians delivered not just stories, but meaningful connections that help foster a lifelong love of reading. 

As part of the program, librarians visit participating daycares three times a year, providing engaging storytimes and delivering two “blue boxes” filled with 50 carefully selected books each. These 100-book collections remain onsite, encouraging daily reading habits. At each subsequent visit, the boxes are refreshed with new titles—ensuring children always have access to engaging, age-appropriate materials. 

“JDC provides high quality and age-appropriate books to daycares who don’t have the resources to visit the library or funding to buy their own books,” said ACPL Youth Services Coordinator Jenn Clark. “Through storytimes, we are teaching the caregivers and children rhymes and songs, demonstrating dialogic reading, and more, while building relationships with and supporting the daycares. This encourages a daily habit and love of reading that helps to prepare the children for kindergarten." 

Overall, the JDC collection includes 6,000 books and has evolved significantly over the years. What began as a small effort has grown into a systemwide initiative supported by librarians across all ACPL branches. In recent years, the program has been modernized with durable, recycled blue courier tubs and strengthened through a comprehensive diversity audit in 2021, ensuring the collection reflects a wide range of voices and experiences.

The program has also seen remarkable growth in recent years. After dropping to just 20–30 daycare participants due to Covid daycare closures in 2020, JDC has rebounded to serve 60 sites today—expanding access to early literacy resources across the community. 

“Library Outreach Worker’s Day is the perfect time to recognize the incredible work our librarians do beyond our buildings,” said Clark. “Programs like JDC exemplify how ACPL meets families where they are and ensures every child has the opportunity to discover the joy of reading.” 

Participation in the Juvenile Depository Collection program is free and open to any in-home daycare in Allen County. Providers interested in enrolling can contact their local ACPL branch or email jclark@acpl.info for more information.