DID you know that Westbury Library has a team of volunteers who deliver books to local people who can’t get to the library themselves?
A member of library staff will initially visit the customer at home to talk about what they would like to read and then they are introduced to a library volunteer who will visit the customer every few weeks to exchange their books.
There are no charges for this service and items can also be requested. The volunteers who deliver the service receive training and are subject to an enhanced disclosure check. If you would like to use this service, you can speak to a library staff member or you can contact the library at libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
The Westbury Library says, “We know that there are many people who love reading but cannot get out of their homes. We would be thrilled to hear from you if you would like to receive books at home!
“We have always had this delivery service, but it came into its own during the lockdowns when many more people became vulnerable, and we now visit a good number of residents of Westbury and the surrounding area.”
Home library volunteers needed
As part of National Volunteers week, which took place from Thursday 1st June to Wednesday 7th June, the Westbury Library is also looking for volunteers to help carry out the home library service.
Volunteers will be asked to deliver book to library customers on a regular basis – an enhanced disclosure check is required for this role which will be initiated by the library service. Volunteers using their own vehicles will have driver document checks, and mileage allowance is payable.
The Westbury Library says, “If you have time to spare, like books and reading, have a friendly personality and enjoy meeting people please get in touch!”
One volunteers for the home library service, Lorna, says “I enjoy working with the lovely helpful library staff and meeting new people. It’s great to be able to provide a service that it’s clear the clients really appreciate and enjoy.”
One user of the home library scheme explained how valuable the service is to her, “Because I can’t leave the house and because I can’t see well enough to actually read now, having the audio books delivered to my home by a library volunteer has made a huge difference to my life. I don’t have to sit and listen to the TV all day, I can still indulge in my passion for books. It has been a life saver.”
If you are interested in either volunteering or making use of this service, please get in touch with the library on 01373 822294 or via libraryenquiries@wiltshire.gov.uk
