Library to You
The Library to You service does exactly what it says on the tin! It’s available to people of any age, delivering books and talking books to anyone who is housebound. That might be because of disability, lack of transport, or maybe because they are full-time carers and just not able to get to the library. The service is completely free to use.
It’s easy to forget that lots of people can’t get out and about, and not everyone is online so might not have access to the things most of us take for granted. If someone can’t get to the library, we want them to know about the Library to You service.
The service operates all year round and is run by Oundle Library with a team of volunteers who deliver hand-picked books, and talking books, to the housebound every few weeks.
The first step
Anyone who wants to sign up for the Library to You service first needs to get their contact details to Oundle Library. At the bottom of this page we’ve attached a pdf of the Application Form to download. Otherwise you can:
- Email oundle.libraryplus@northnorthants.gov.uk
- Telephone the North Northants Call Centre on 0300 126 3000
What happens next?
Once Oundle Library has someone’s details they’ll ring them to explain the service and find out what sorts of books and authors they enjoy, as well as the particular formats they’d prefer e.g. large print or talking books. The more information library staff get at this stage the better.
A personal selection
Choosing books for someone else can be tricky but library staff know their stuff and will always pick things they think their customer will enjoy. These choices will be guided by the information they’ve been given over the telephone, which is why that first telephone conversation is so important.
As time goes by
Customers are encouraged to let the library know which books they’ve liked and which they haven’t. Even popping a handwritten note into a bag of books that’s going back to the library will help steer future selections. And obviously, as time goes by, the library builds up a better picture of what each person enjoys.
Door to door
Each month the books are delivered by volunteers, and books to be returned to the library are collected at the same time. All the volunteers have assigned routes, so their customers can get to know them and look forward to their visits. The routes cover any number of villages around Oundle, and bags are also delivered to people in Oundle itself.
Help us spread the word!
This is a truly wonderful service but lots of people don’t know it exists, or even realise they’d qualify to receive it. If you know someone who is unable to get to the library but would enjoy having a bag of books delivered to them at home, please tell them about the Library to You service. It could make all the difference to them.
Library to You
To download an Application Form to receive the Library to You service
