Homebound residents wishing to participate in this program must register by contacting the Homebound Services Librarian. A volunteer will visit the resident with a registration application to apply for a Homebound Resident library card. The resident will also complete a brief survey to assist library staff in selecting appropriate materials based on the resident’s interests. The resident may select specific titles, authors, genres, and formats (i.e. – large print, audio). With this service, residents will have access to regular books, large print books, audio books, and music CDs. Feature Film DVDs, magazines, and video games may not be checked out on a Homebound Resident library card.
Volunteers will deliver pre-selected materials to the resident and will be responsible for returning items by their due date. Library materials may be returned in library book bins located at the Middletown Library and at the Lincroft Little League Field.
Homebound Resident library cards will not accumulate late fees. At the discretion of the Library Director, homebound residents may be responsible for the replacement cost of lost items.
Homebound Resident library cards will be limited to 5 items per checkout. All items will circulate for 2 weeks. Items without holds may be renewed up to a maximum of 4 times.
It is the homebound resident’s responsibility to ensure that the delivery volunteer has unobstructed access to deliver and pick-up library materials. It is the homebound resident’s responsibility to contact their delivery volunteer when materials are ready to be returned to the library. The delivery volunteer may not enter the home of the homebound resident. Library materials will be left at the door step or at another prearranged site on the resident’s property.
The program is most successful if the homebound resident and volunteer agree upon 2 dates per month for pick-up and delivery, such as the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. This will ensure that library materials are returned in a timely manner and will provide the resident with uninterrupted access to library materials.