Armchair Travel, Courtesy of Your Library

By Nicholle Gerharter, Reference Librarian

June 24 , 2009

“It’s great!”  “Keep them coming.”  “Thank you for offering this service.” 

As a librarian, it is very important to know that the services we offer are helpful to the people they are intended for. These notes come from library patrons who are unable to leave their homes, yet are still able to participate in library services through our Books By Mail program.

Many Natrona County citizens are taking advantage of the library and utilizing their time at home to expand their horizons. Armchair travel via reading is less expensive than a plane ticket.   In fact, it’s free for homebound individuals and their caregivers.  

Books By Mail delivers library materials to patrons and their caregivers who are unable to visit the library due to a temporary or long-term physical or mental disability or illness.

Patrons enrolled in the program receive all library materials, not just books, mailed to their home free of charge.  That includes magazines, movies, documentaries, books on tape or CD, large print books, and more.

The library pays the postage to send the items, as well as the return postage when they are due.  When finished reading, watching, or listening to library materials, patrons simply attach the included postage sticker and address label, zip up their Books By Mail bag and put it out with the mail.

Books By Mail participants can either request individual items on an as-needed basis or continually receive a fresh supply.  If requested, library staff can assist in choosing items that match their interests.  Participants are encouraged to place holds online for material they would like to receive via the mail.

It is important to library staff that caregivers are included in Books By Mail program eligibility.  Even healthy, mobile caregivers are often unable to sneak away for the time it takes to peruse the library for much-needed entertainment or supportive research.  Books By Mail can assist those caregivers by providing an avenue of contact and inspiration without diminishing their guardian roles. 

The service is available year-round or on a temporary basis due to heath or weather matters.

Here are the top 5 things to know about Books By Mail:

1.  It is absolutely free.

2.  We strive to match readers to the material they like to read.  (And viewers to the DVDs they like to see, and listeners to the audio books they like to hear.)

3.  Reading keeps the mind sharp, staving off boredom, mental depression, and mental illness. 

4.  It is never too late to learn a new skill, explore an interesting topic, or study a concept that has been elusive in the past.  It is possible to teach a mature dog new tricks!

5.  Natrona County has an increasingly aging population.  It is likely that you know someone who would benefit from Books By Mail: a neighbor, a friend, a parent or a grandparent.

If you would like to learn more about Books By Mail or sign up for this service, please contact Nicholle Gerharter by calling 577-READ (7323), ext. 2 or email ngerharter@will.state.wy.us.  I can also be reached by writing to Natrona County Public Library, 307 E. 2nd St., Casper, WY 82601.

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