Inclusive library services

The housebound library service is free and available to any person who lives within the boundary of Coventry and has a disability which makes them housebound, so they are unable to get to a library. If this is you, or someone you know, you could receive a monthly collection of items from the Libraries Service. The items are selected by library staff from the shelves of a community library, based on your preferences, and delivered to your home on a monthly basis. The items can be books in larger print, and audio books on CD. You can request any item free of charge and there is no limit (within reason) to the number of items delivered each month.

While we try to target those most in need, you do not have to be totally housebound in order to receive the service - for example, many people can get to a library by some means but cannot carry the books they want home.

Express an interest in the Housebound Library Service

• online: complete the online form to express an interest in the housebound library service
• by phone: call any library during opening hours (find a library)
• in person: visit any library during opening hours (find a library)

Amend your preferences

If you have received items in your last delivery that you were unhappy with, or want to change your preferences so that you receive different genres or authors, then you can contact us to amend your preferences.

• online: complete the online form to amend your preferences
• by phone: call the library you receive your items from during opening hours (find a library)
• in person: visit any library during opening hours (find a library)

Cancel the home Housebound Library Service

If you no longer want to receive the Housebound Library Service, you can contact us to cancel the service. You can also contact us if you are a family member, friend or neighbour of a Housebound Library Service customer who has passed away.

• online: complete the online form to cancel the housebound library service
• by phone: call the library you receive your items from during opening hours (find a library)
• in person: visit any library during opening hours (find a library)

Support organisations

• Adult social care and health - Coventry City Council - For those who need extra help to manage their lives and be independent, including older people, people with a disability or long-term illness, people with mental health problems and those who look after someone or are carers
• All Age Disability – Coventry City Council - The All Age Disability Service works alongside people with disabilities of all ages and their family carers to support their personal, social care and health outcomes.
• Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind - (CRCB) is a registered charity that provides support, information, resources, training and social activities for people with a visual impairment in the Coventry area.
• Reading Sight - Reading Sight will promote new ways of reading and point to places where you can get technical support to increase your confidence in these exciting developments.
• Royal National Institute for the Blind - RNIB provides practical and emotional advice and support across England to people who are blind or partially sighted and their friends and family. As well as access to over 40,000 fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children in accessible formats that suits you.
• Age UK Coventry and Warwickshire - is an independent charity delivering a wide range of information, support and assistance services.
• Calibre Audio - Calibre Audio is a national charity providing a collection of over 16,000 audiobooks for anyone who finds it difficult to read print.