June McDonald loves to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of talking books, but she can no longer get to the North Bay Public Library.
Age has caught up with her and mobility is an issue.
"They have stairs and I can't handle the stairs," McDonald said.
Seven years ago McDonald's husband passed away. It was a difficult and lonely time.
"Just after my husband died I couldn't go to sleep at night, but I didn't want to go on the sleeping pill, so someone suggested I get those (audio book tapes) and listen to them at night to put me to sleep which I do and I thoroughly enjoy it," she explained.
Losing the ability to take out new books and quench her love of storytelling was hard for McDonald.
When she heard of the library-home service at the North Bay Public Library, she was ecstatic.
"There couldn't be anything better," she exclaimed.
"The girls were so obliging at the other end of the telephone line. It's always a good morning and 'how are you today'. 'What can we send you?' 'Do you have anything special you want?' I phone on Wednesday morning and Wednesday afternoon I get ten books a week."
The program is growing in popularity and library officials called it a necessary service.
"Reading is such an integral part of our lives and especially if you're elderly you're not always familiar with eBooks or you don't have an iPad, so they really enjoy the service," said Kelli Van Buskirk, North Bay Public Library.
The program relies on volunteers delivering books throughout the week.
They pick up the book bags directly from the library desk and drop off the new order to people's home; making sure to return read items back to the library.
To take advantage of the library-home service, just contact the public library. There is no eligibility criteria, only a love of literature is required.
