Library service delivers to homes

The Palmerston North Library’s home service programme has been delivering a world of imagination and lifelong learning to people’s doors for 50 years.

It started in February 1972 to benefit people physically unable to visit one of the public libraries or the mobile library. It began as a trial with 17 customers and six delivery drivers, and by the end of the 1980s had grown to 65 people with 30 volunteers.

Noeline, whose surname was not provided, is a regular user. Now in her 90s, she found it tiring to walk to the Awapuni Library, and said she loved the friendship from the delivery volunteers.

Volunteers and staff help home service co-ordinator Nora Kilpin once a fortnight to pack books, magazines, puzzles, audiobooks, DVDs and CDs into personalised bags for 103 members. Each member receives a visit once a month for deliveries and collections. To become a home service user, people need to be a library member, which can be arranged on pncl@pncc.govt. nz or by phone. People interested in volunteering can contact pncl@pncc.govt.nz.