Community

Ohio County Public Library Offers Home Delivery Outreach to Homebound Residents

Ohio County residents who are book lovers but cannot get to the library because they are homebound may want to check into a free service offered by the Ohio County Public Library.

Residents who cannot drive themselves to the library, have mobility issues, or perhaps are recovering from a surgery or illness are examples of people who can take advantage of the Home Delivery Outreach service.

"I'm not real strict about the criteria," said Julia Bachmann, outreach services specialist for OCPL

Bachmann said she currently has 72 adults who use the service along with 11 different facilities that serve children, such as daycares. She also delivers to facilities such as Peterson Rehabilitation Center.

As part of the application process, Bachmann asks people what types of books they like to read. She can also deliver other items often checked out at the library including DVDs, CDs, audiobooks and more.

"It's for Ohio County residents who live anywhere in the county," she said. "I go door to door. People don't have to come to me."

Bachmann said she is hoping more people will take advantage of the service. Deliveries are typically made one to two times per month.

After 15 years as the outreach specialist, Bachmann said she has gotten pretty good at knowing what types of books people will like to read. Some people have quipped that they feel like she is their personal librarian, she said.

"It's nice. It makes them feel special," she said.

Some people request certain books or other materials and that's OK, too.

For more information about the service or to fill out the application, call Bachmann at 304-232-0244. Other outreach services offered to home service participants include: interlibrary loan, reference assistance, E-reader assistance, book club facilitation or assistance and notary service.