All the magic of Singleton Public Library comes home delivered

Published on 13 November 2024

Karen Miller, Library Programs Officer and Dana Hawkins, Library Outreach Officer.jpg

As the bricks-and-mortar Singleton Public Library celebrates the 20th birthday of the Queen Street building with a packed program of events this year—including an illustrious schedule of author visits this month—the Library team hasn’t forgotten about those unable to visit.

The Home Library service is inviting new members who can’t come into the Library based on a number of criteria to join the list of people across the Singleton local government area (LGA) who receive a monthly delivery of books, DVDs, music, puzzles or toys based on their preferences.

About 45 people currently use the service including childcare centres, aged care residents and individuals, and Vicki Brereton, Council’s Director Organisation and Community Capacity said there was always capacity for more to join.

Home Library Service members may be:

  • unable to visit the Library due to poor health or mobility
  • living with a disability
  • carers
  • frail and aged
  • a resident of a care facility
  • a new parent.

“The Home Library is a wonderful service that delivers books, DVDs, music, puzzles and toys to nursing homes, childcare centres and residents in the Singleton LGA, but more importantly, it fulfils a really important function in bringing a sense of connection to people who can’t come to our Library,” Mrs Brereton said.

“Members receive a monthly delivery of a yellow bag filled with items they’ve nominated they want to borrow, based on what their interests are, covering audiobooks, music, large print books, normal print books, fiction, and non-fiction.

“You can join with a phone call or in person if you are able to come in, but it’s really just as simple as joining the Library or you’re already a Library member, then you can simply join the list for the Home Library.”

And along with mobility, technology isn’t a barrier to the Library’s digital resources either thanks to a collection of Victor readers donated by Yancoal Mt Thorley Warkworth.

“Victor readers are hand-held assistive devices that allow people to listen to books and other audio sources using CDs and SD cards for audiobooks,” Mrs Brereton said.

“The devices can be borrowed out to customers on a long-term basis, so you don’t have to return them each month with your bag, and you can borrow new audio discs or the SD cards—whatever your preference is—as part of your monthly delivery.”

Find out more about the Home Library