Who Qualifies?
A homebound patron is defined as someone who, because of physical or mental infirmity, is unable to visit the library on his/her own without assistance and who does not have someone who can pick-up/return library materials for them on a regular basis; or someone who is unable to visit the library regularly because their physical/mental disability would make such a visit problematic.
Eligibility requirements for homebound services include, but are not limited to:
- Being unable to visit the library on one’s own due to a physical or mental disability;
- Having a long or short term (lasting more than 60 days) illness;
- Being a senior citizen, age 65 and older, who does not drive;
- Having a physical or mental disability which would make a library visit problematic;
- Being a caregiver to an individual in need of continuous care; or
- Being a person who has a condition which restricts their ability to leave their place of residence except with the aid of a supportive device such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs, and walkers or without the use of special transportation, the assistance of another person, or if leaving the home is medically contradicted.
In addition, delivery recipients meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of Bullitt County.
- Have an active Bullitt County Public Library card in good status. If you otherwise qualify as a homebound patron and do not currently hold a library card, a member of our Outreach staff will assist you in obtaining an account on their first visit.
How Does It Work?
Once you are deemed eligible for the Home Delivery Program, a BCPL staff member will contact you about your reading preferences, usually by phone. Then, they will gather a selection of materials and bring them to your residence. (BCPL will always call before your scheduled delivery.)
During that first delivery, the staff member will help you complete a Personalized Reading List, which we use to help find items you’d likely be interested in. You’ll also need to sign a Reading History Log Waiver, allowing BCPL to track your reading history to avoid duplication of materials delivered to you.
Approximately two weeks later, BCPL staff will pick up the items you are ready to return and bring you a fresh selection of materials. Each time you receive a delivery of materials, you will also receive a checkout slip, listing all items currently checked out to you.
What Can I Check Out?
Any material that circulates can be requested through our Home Delivery program. You may request specific titles, or our staff will be happy to select materials for you based on your interests. If the Library does not own a book you would like to read, we may be able to purchase it or borrow it from another library through the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system.
Here are some ideas of what you can check out:
- Books (standard or large-print)
- Children’s Books
- Chromebooks & Hotspots
- Board Games
- Books on CD and Read Alongs
- DVDs & Blu-rays
- GO! Totes
- Materials from our Library of Things collection
- Video Games
Your library card will also give you full access to our digital collections, including e-books, downloadable audiobooks, digital magazines, and streaming movies and music. These items may be checked out any time online and return automatically. If you receive Home Delivery services and are interested in learning more about our digital material, please ask your home-delivery staff person.
How Do I Sign Up for Home Delivery?
You may also contact LaDonna in our Outreach and Programs Department. Call 502-543-7675 ext. 2552, or e-mail her at [email protected].
Related Policies
See Homebound Delivery Policy in our Operational Policies Handbook