Over the past decade, the population of homebound adults in America has increased from 5 percent to 13 percent.
Being homebound can feel isolating, whether due to health challenges, disability, or living situations. Fortunately, public libraries are designed to serve everyone in their community, including those who can't physically walk through the doors.
Across Alabama, local library systems are stepping up with creative homebound delivery programs, digital resources, and specialized services to bring the library directly to your living room.
At-Home Services
Public libraries offer various resources for people unable to leave their homes.
Mailing Programs and Deliveries
Homebound persons can set up mailing orders with the library. For those who can’t make it in person, many libraries will deliver specific books, DVDs, magazines, or other materials to your door.
For example, the Northwest Regional Library offers a completely free Books by Mail program to medically homebound residents in Lamar, Marion, and Franklin counties.
Doorstep Deliveries
Many public libraries have dedicated staff or volunteers who drop materials off directly at your house, often waiving late fees for homebound cardholders.
The Athens-Limestone County Public Library runs a community-driven program called At Your Doorstep, delivering free reading materials to residents in partnership with local senior services.
Discussion Groups
These can help create a social network through your library. Many libraries offer programs that connect homebound individuals to virtual book clubs. Members read the same book and discuss it virtually as a group, allowing for social connections whether reading separately or together.
Library Newsletters
In certain areas, some libraries offer virtual newsletters for their homebound patrons. These newsletters can include book recommendations, the latest releases, or information on how to contact the library for additional services.
Reading Buddy Home Visits
Homebound people can sometimes arrange home visits from a reading buddy. In most of these programs, a volunteer can come to your home and read with or aloud to you.
Nursing Home and Outreach Services
Most libraries also have services for adults in nursing homes or those who rely on caregiver assistance.
Bookmobile and Outreach Visits
Many systems coordinate mobile outreach vehicles to bring customized carts of books, movies, and music right to facilities and residences. The Horseshoe Bend Regional Library Outreach Program operates a monthly bookmobile service in Lee, Elmore, and Tallapoosa counties, serving homebound individuals, those recovering from surgery, and their caregivers.
Collection Drop-Offs
Libraries can provide collection drop-offs for nursing homes, allowing library staff to deliver batches of books to senior facilities.
Audio Readers for Groups
Available for anyone, audio readers can let multiple people listen to a book together, creating social connections through the shared enjoyment of reading. People who are homebound can request reading visits with library volunteers or employees.
Staff-Led Programs
Library employees can provide educational and tech programs on topics such as accessing ebooks, computer basics, book clubs, and more.
Call your local Alabama library to find out what homebound services it provides in your community.