Information on Loughborough

Volunteers needed for the Home Library Service in the Coalville area

Posted on 16/03/2010

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

15 March 2010

Volunteers needed for the Home Library Service in the Coalville area

Volunteers are needed to help deliver library books to people who have difficulty getting out and about.

The Home Library Service is looking for reliable volunteers who have an interest in books and are able to relate to a variety of people.  The role will involve choosing and delivering books to customers in their own homes.

Leicestershire Libraries depends on volunteers to help provide this important service which can make a very real difference to people’s lives.  

Jane Butler has been volunteering for the Home Library Service for twenty years now. She said:

"I get a real sense of satisfaction from doing something for my local community. I enjoy getting to know the customers and feel that my visits help to improve their quality of life, even if it's only in a small way. I've always loved reading myself, so I enjoy my regular visits to the library where I can chat to the staff about what's new and what my customers might enjoy."

Volunteers are currently required in the Coalville and Whitwick areas.

If you are interested in volunteering and could support customers in these areas, please call Kathryn Lupton, North West Leicestershire, Volunteering Advisor for Voluntary Action LeicesterShire on 07816218949 or call the VAL Helpline on 0116 257 5050.

VAL provides support throughout Leicestershire for anyone who is thinking about volunteering. Volunteering Advisors hold several ‘drop-in’ sessions at locations around the County for you to get more information. Full details of times and locations can be found by visiting www.valonline.org.uk/district-hub-opening-times

Note to the editor

For further information, please contact Liz Evans at Coalville library on 0116 305 3571.

http://www.leics.gov.uk/homelibraryservice

Background notes

Libraries across Leicestershire are continuing to see an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself recovering from a recession. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries for cheaper entertainment, information about finding employment, free access to computers and the internet, help with saving money and being ‘greener’ by borrowing free books rather than buying.

Leicestershire libraries have seen vast improvements recently, as part of an £8 million refurbishment programme.

Self service machines are now being introduced at major libraries across the county and will allow people to borrow and return books, CDs, DVDs quickly and easily, contributing to a much more effective and improved customer service.

A new mobile library has also been introduced. The mobile service enables residents in rural areas with no static library to access the service from their community.

It’s free to join libraries around Leicestershire. The service:

  • offers free book loans
  • enables you to research free information
  • offers free use of computers
  • offers free use of the Internet via Broadband
  • offers music and films available for hire from as little as £1 per week

Details of library developments can be found on www.leics.co.uk/libraries

Details of events can be found at www.leics.co.uk/events

Facts & figures about Leicestershire libraries in 2008-2009

  • 55 libraries
  • 92,378 hours open
  • 3,853,867 visitors
  • 6 Mobile libraries
  • 412 PCs
  • 22,205 DVDs to rent
  • 728,628 books to borrow

Keep up to date with what’s happening in your library:

www.twitter.com/LeicsLibraries

www.facebook.com/YourLibrary

http://leicestershirebooks.wordpress.com