Library books home delivery service is best seller

THE recently-launched home delivery service for library books has become a best seller.

Almost 200 people have signed up to Renfrewshire Leisure’s Libraries Direct service providing a free delivery service of library books to those over the age of 70, people with disabilities and families with children.

There have been 102 deliveries made to homes since the service was launched at the end of February to make it easier for members of Renfrewshire Libraries to access the thousands of titles available to borrow.

Staff at Renfrewshire Libraries have been praised for launching the service.

One avid book reader from Johnstone described the staff as “life savers in libraries”. He revealed that due to the free home delivery service, he can now “finally get a decent non-fiction read at bedtime to help me sleep better after the Covid lockdown had disturbed my sleep pattern.”

A mum from Renfrew also phoned he local library to say how delighted she was that she and her children could now have books delivered to her home.

“This is a really important service,” the mum said. “My children are so excited to get new library books again. Delivering them to the house is a great idea.”

People who are eligible for the service should call 0300 300 1188 to register for the Libraries Direct service. They can then request specific titles by calling the same number or logging on to www.renfrewshirelibraries.co.uk.

Staff will also suggest and recommend particular books depending on the readers’ interests and preferences. Members will receive a phone call a few days before their books are delivered.

And library staff will visit homes to collect returned books in a socially distanced and Covid-secure way.

Renfrewshire Leisure’s Digital and Library Development Manager, Joyce Higgins said: “We’re very pleased that so many people have registered for the Libraries Direct Service and we’re expecting the numbers to grow in the coming weeks.

“People getting their books delivered have been telling us they are very grateful for the service and we’re glad to be able to do so.”