Spend a Day with a Library Worker: Outreach Services Library Customer Specialist Roni Hyman

Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library 

A Library is run by people working in many different roles. They’re all helping community members in wide-ranging ways, from recommending books to connecting people to resources and more. Go inside the day-to-day lives of our staff with our series Spend a Day with a Library Worker.  

Meet Roni Hyman, an Outreach Services Library Customer Specialist with over 20 years of experience. From organizing materials for book clubs to delivering items to senior homes and apartment buildings, there’s never a dull moment in Roni’s workday.  

“What I love most about my job is being able to bring the Library to children and seniors who may not otherwise have access to the Library,” Roni said.  

Along with fellow Outreach Department staff, Roni said that she is assigned to school and delivery routes. She follows spreadsheets that include the exact titles customers on the route want, which are then delivered straight to their door.  

Roni is also in charge of coordinating 27 senior book clubs across Cincinnati and Hamilton County per month. Since they are seniors, part of that work is ensuring access to large print and audiobook formats.  

“Bringing accessibility to our customers is valuable because it ensures that no one is left out of the Library experience,” Roni said.  

The Outreach Department also has an iPad program! They loan seniors the technology and then take them to local classes, including at the Apple Store and the Cincinnati Board for the Visually Impaired, to-teach them the best way to use the technology.  

Roni recalled an impactful outreach moment with a customer after pandemic lockdowns were lifted.  

“I had a customer tell me she was so grateful that we still brought books during the pandemic because it made them all feel that they were still connected to the outside world when they couldn’t leave their homes,” Roni said.  

Her advice to those looking to apply?  “The Library’s mission is connecting people to the world of ideas and information. If you’re ready to do that, come join us.”