Visiting Library Service

Can't get to the library? We can come to you!

The Visiting Library Service is a free service for Guelph residents who are homebound and unable to visit the library independently due to age, long-term illness, or disability. The service provides a longer loan period, staff selection of library materials, and a volunteer who will deliver to your home.

To apply, complete the Visiting Library Service Form.

How it works

Library materials are selected by library staff each month based on your reading interests. Selected materials (up to 10 items) are signed out to your library account and packed into a GPL bag. A volunteer will then deliver the bag to your home. At the same time, the volunteer will pick up your previous month’s bag of materials to be returned to the library.

What you can borrow

We can arrange for you to receive books, audiobooks, DVDs, and magazines each month. Since there is an extended borrowing period, we cannot sendout quick picks.

Where we deliver

We can only deliver to addresses within the City of Guelph and to locations that are not already served by one of our bookmobile stops.

Seasonal and temporary service

We also offer seasonal service for those homebound only during the winter months and temporary service (minimum of 8 weeks) to assist those who are recovering from accidents or surgery, as well as new or expectant parents who are otherwise unable to access the library.

Options other than home delivery

For those who want more flexibility than our volunteer-run program can provide, we can arrange to send items to any library location and you can designate a friend, family member, or caregiver to pick up on your behalf whenever is convenient.

Additionally, for those who are confined at home, many library services are available digitally and can be accessed online using a computer, tablet, or smart device:

• eBooks and eAudiobooks
• Digital magazines and newspapers
• Movie and music streaming
• Online learning
• Virtual programs (Filter by Event Type and select “virtual”)

Volunteer

The Visiting Library Service is made possible by the dedicated work of volunteers who facilitate deliveries and ensure homebound individuals continue to have access to library materials. Would you like to help others in community? Apply to be a volunteer for our Visiting Library Service.