Lambton County Library is making its materials more accessible to those with a disability or medical condition.
The new Library by Mail service will send materials directly to someone's home if they aren't able to make it to a physical branch.
Materials include books, multilingual, and ESL (English as a Second Language) learning formats, as well as audiobooks, DVDs, and magazines.
Manager of Library Services Darlene Coke said their pilot project was a success.
Nine patrons have been using the mail service for the past two years.
"This includes people from different areas of the County of Lambton," said Coke. "So we've piloted that project just so that we could get an understanding of how it works best in terms of the mailing systems, the type of envelopes we use, sorting out the postage arrangements. We've piloted that since 2024 and we feel we're in a position now that we can launch it."
Coke said it's another way to make the library more accessible.
"We're always looking for ways that we can reduce barriers to free library service to Lambton County residents," she said. "Knowing that Lambton County is a large geographic area, that there are some rural areas within it, we just thought that this was another way that we could reach folks."
Once someone is signed up for an accessible library membership, they can reserve items through the library’s online catalogue, its mobile app, or by phone.
Staff are available to assist with reservations at 1-866-324-6912 ext. 5900, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
When reserving, cardholders must select “Library by Mail” as the pickup location.
Materials are shipped through Canada Post with a prepaid, pre-addressed return envelope included in each package.
