Introduction
In order to fulfill Northland’s mission of enabling, encouraging and empowering lifelong learning and discovery, the Library offers the Books-by-Mail Program as a service to its homebound residents who are otherwise unable to borrow library materials. Participants in this program indicate what library materials they want to receive, and Northland mails them a maximum of three items per month in a postage-paid mailer. The items are returned in the same mailer.
Who Is Eligible to Use the Program
Any homebound person in one of Northland’s supporting municipalities is eligible. There is no requirement to certify a disability beyond stating that you are homebound. However, anyone who is eligible to enroll in the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians(LAMP) program will be referred to that program instead of Northland’s Books-by-Mail program: LAMP application.
Books-By-Mail applications are available at the Customer Service desk, Adult Services desk, Children & Teen Services desk or by mail upon request.
Participant’s Responsibilities
A completed application, along with the patron’s library card, must be mailed to “Books-by-Mail Program” at Northland for processing. If the patron does not have a current library card, the Director of Library Services will help the patron obtain one. The patron will receive one shipment of three items monthly based on the patron’s interests. The loan period for these items is four weeks. Late fees are not charged but patrons will be billed for lost or damaged items. The patron must return the items in the pre-paid mailer in which they arrived. The patron or the patron’s caregiver must notify Northland if the patron wants or needs to interrupt or stop service.
Library’s Responsibilities
The Director of Library Services will maintain records for each program participant. One shipment of three items will be sent each month based on the participant’s personal preferences. A Books-By-Mail staff library card will be used to place holds for items not owned by Northland or to check out materials that will be sent to participants. The participants’ library cards, which are secured at the Library, will be used to check materials out to the participants upon sending the items. “Lucky Day” items may not be sent to or requested for Books-By-Mail participants.
Approved 1/24/17
Revised 4/20/23
Revised 10/29/24
