Walking Books
Bringing books to homebound readers who, due to age or physical disability, are unable to visit the Library.
The purpose of the Walking Books program is to deliver books to readers who are unable to go to the library themselves due to age or physical disability. We believe in the right of all individuals to participate in the lifelong learning process that books makes possible.
The Walking Books program was developed through a cooperative effort of the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library, the South Central Indiana Council for the Aging and Aged, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
How does the program work?
Interested participants can call the Customer Services Desk at (812) 949-3523 to sign up. A Librarian will help determine your eligibility and reading interests. A volunteer will deliver books to each Walking Books patron on the 2nd Wednesday and Thursday of the month in the morning, and pick up books that were delivered the month before.
Who can participate?
Any resident of Floyd County, 18 years or older, who is physically unable to come to the library.
What Can I Get?
You can receive up to 10 library books, audiobooks, CD’s and/or magazines in each delivery.
Policy for Participants
- Any resident of Floyd county, 18 years or older, who is physically unable to come to the library may participate in the program.
- The participant is responsible for the care of the books and must be willing to pay for any books that are lost or damaged.
- A Walking Books librarian will determine a participant’s eligibility and reading interests.
- Up to 10 books may be borrowed per delivery. Books can be renewed if not requested by another patron. Requests for specific titles should be made prior to the delivery date.
- Delivery will be every month. This will allow books to be kept for 4 weeks.
- A reminder call will be made to participants or the nursing or retirement homes prior to delivery to be sure that the previously delivered books are ready for pick up.
- Participants should contact Customer Services at (812) 949-3523 prior to moving. If leaving an nursing or retirement home, books should be left with the resident contact person.
Books on Wheels
Connecting with local agencies to bring books to patients and visitors.
In 2014, the Reference Department began its Books on Wheels program through a partnership with the local Kiwanis Club, with the goal of starting a dedicated book collection for local institutions. Reference staff would collect donated books and create small collections of approximately 20 books to be distributed to institutions or agencies where people must stay for several hours. This includes local dialysis centers, VA clinics, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes.
The Kiwanis Club helped name the program in honor of their commitment to Meals on Wheels. The new program was to be called: Books on Wheels.
The Kiwanis Club distributes fresh books to the collections of 12 agencies who house them for their patients/visitors once a month. No one is required to return a book, but the books have stickers to identify them as part of the program. The Reference staff is indebted to the Kiwanis Club for faithfully picking and dropping off books to 12 locations all over Floyd County. We couldn’t offer this service without their help!