As our communities settle back into a less restrictive set of expectations after the Covid lockdown, the library is looking to restart a program that brings books and more to people who cannot get to the library on their own.
To get Direct-to-You back on its feet, the biggest need is drivers. The Concord Free Public Library is working in partnership with the Friends of the CFPL to get everything in place.
Delivering library requests to homebound patrons would be a once or twice a week commitment. Books and more will go to people on an ongoing basis and to others who are temporarily off the road, perhaps with a broken leg, a car problem or even just too many things to do, like for a mother with small children, said Daniel Barbour, the CFPL circulation supervisor.
Resuming Direct-to-You will expand the four walls of the library, he said, “I expect it to be quite popular.” Staff with a passion for the same topics as the borrower will put together a selection of books as requested, say detective novels, for each delivery.
The volunteers will bring the thoughtfully curated items to patrons’ homes and return what they already have.
The Friends are preparing weather-resistant book bags with logos for the participants.
The deliveries could become very important to both volunteers and patrons in a way that goes beyond borrowed items even though the guidelines specify that drivers will not go into homes.
“It’s only natural to form friendships with the people you are delivering to,” Barbour said, “They don’t need just books; they need some sense of community.”
The library will be recruiting volunteers starting at the end of March and scheduling trainings at convenient times later in April.
The goal is to have the program up and running by mid to late spring, once the volunteer force is in place, Barbour said. Patrons will be able to call the library with what they want and get on a delivery schedule. Both the main and Fowler branches are involved.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Barbour at dbarbour@minlib.net
