Our Housebound service delivers hand-picked books and audiobooks directly to our clients in the Thames area who are no longer able to visit us. Volunteers will visit you regularly at home, with a selection of library books to suit your tastes and needs.
If you are unable to visit the library because of illness, disability, or a short-term injury, we can provide a door-to-door library service for you in one of the following ways:
- A friend or relative can select, deliver and return items on your behalf
- Library staff and library volunteers can select items for your friend or relative to collect
- Library staff and library volunteers can select items for you and deliver them to you
How do I register for this service?
Contact Shana, our Community Engagement Librarian, at Thames Library on 07 868 6616.
She'll arrange a time with you to visit you at home and outline to service in detail.
We'll talk about the kinds of books you like to read, find out any favourite authors you have, and decide how many books you would like to receive at each visit.
We'll then organise with a volunteer or you friend or relative to bring our selection of books to you every three weeks.
We'll manage your library card account to ensure you have no fees or overdue fines to pay.
What can I borrow?
All of our lending collections are available to Housebound borrowers, including Large Print, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Talking Books, magazines, DVDs and children's books.
I don't need this service, but I'd love to help - how do I sign up to become a Housebound volunteer?
We currently have enough volunteers, but we can add you name to our waiting list - contact Shana and let her know you'd like to volunteer with us.