Books at Your Door Step

By Elizabeth Ruen, pubilcations associate, and Stephanie Jenner, volunteer coordinator

The Rapid City Public Library serves as a community gathering place for people young and old. It provides access to books, DVDs, computers, programming and information to thousands of people each day. Some people, however, are not able to come to the library. Whether it is due to inability to drive, lack of transportation, or personal circumstances many people in our community are homebound. Several years ago this barrier between information access and homebound people was removed with the establishment of the Homebound Delivery Program at the Rapid City Public Library.  

The Homebound Delivery Program currently serves around 100 people every month and continues to grow. The program is available to Pennington County residents who are temporarily injured or ill, do not have reliable transportation, or are living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or retirement homes. The program also makes deliveries to six institutions including Hospice House.

Participants can choose which books, DVDs and audiobooks they would like selected and delivered. This is part of the service Laree Adkins particularly likes. Laree is wheelchair bound. Although she does go down to the library in the summer, in the winter it’s not as easy for her to get around.  Adkins goes online to the library’s website, picks out which books she wants delivered each month, and emails her selections to the program coordinator.

“It’s a wonderful service,” said Adkins. “It’s convenient and everyone you talk to is so nice and accommodating.”
Jean Fricke describes the Homebound Delivery Program as a blessing. She moved into assisted living several years ago and had to give up driving. Fricke started receiving deliveries in 2005. She likes that the library will send her the books she wants. Fricke goes through the best seller lists and picks the books that are delivered to her.

“Reading is my first love,” said Fricke. “And the homebound selectors go the extra mile to make sure I have books to read.”
Eight dedicated volunteers make the program possible. Five of these volunteers call participants to find out what books or DVDs they want and select the materials from the library. “These volunteers are amazing,” said Stephanie Jenner, program coordinator. “They truly work to get to know participants and their needs on a personal level. They pride themselves in selecting the perfect materials for each person.”

Three volunteers serve as drivers and deliver material to people at home. Bill Boylan is one of these volunteers. He has been a library user since he was four years old and appreciates all the services it offers. Boylan has volunteered many places for many years and decided a few years ago it was time to give back to the library. He keeps volunteering because people are so thankful for the service and are always happy to see him.

“This is a great service,” said Boylan. “The homebound patrons are really grateful and thankful.”
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more about the program or think you may be eligible for services please contact Stephanie, the program coordinator at 394-6139 ext. 2230.