Libraries seek delivery volunteers

9:31am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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VOLUNTEERS are urgently needed to help to keep a vital home delivery library service on the road.

The free facility has been run by North Yorkshire County Council for more than 30 years.

It is a lifeline service for elderly and housebound residents who find it difficult to reach a library to take out books and audio books.

But the service is facing a shortage of volunteers to pick up the books from the library and deliver them to customers.

To help meet the demand, libraries across the county are looking for more helpers to give up only a couple of hours a fortnight.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The service is so popular that in some places more volunteers are being sought to help meet the demand.

"Library staff work with volunteers to provide a free home delivery service of books and audio books to people who find it difficult to get to the library.

"The customers also enjoy having a regular visitor and, for many, the social side is as important as the books."

Volunteers work on a rota basis to pick up books and audio books from their local library and deliver them to a group of about five to seven regular customers.

As the volunteers usually work in pairs, non-drivers can also be involved.

The scheme needs people who can make a regular, daytime commitment of approximately two hours once a fortnight.

County councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for adult and community services, said: "The success of this service is all down to the hard work of library staff and the volunteers.

"Most, but not all, of the customers are elderly and many have a visual impairment. Without this vital service, hundreds of people would have to give up enjoying books."

If you would like to find out more about becoming a home library and information service volunteer, phone Jenny Newton on 01609 533589 or email jenny.newton@northyorks.gov.uk Or contact Sheila Coxon by calling 01609 533800 or emailing sheila.coxon@northyorks.gov.uk