The Lombard Homebound Reading Service
/A Noteworthy Organization that Allowed the Homebound to Receive Books
Helen Plum Library, c .1984
For years, books have afforded readers the opportunity to engage their minds and delve into new, fascinating worlds. Books are powerful works of art that hold the ability to demonstrate lessons and influence minds.
Life without access to the transformative power of books was a reality for some Lombard “homebound” during the early 1980s. These “homebound” were residents of all ages who were no longer able to visit the library due to some ongoing short-term illness or physical limitation.
What seemed like an unfortunate situation for these residents soon sparked an initiative known as the Lombard Homebound Reading Service. The organization was formed in 1982, and its partners included the YMCA, the Helen Plum Library, and the Friends of the Library.
Requirements for joining the program were as followed: residents had to be homebound, live in the library district, and have a library card. After joining, volunteer coordinator Lois Gentle would match a trained volunteer with the homebound resident. Soon after, the volunteer – often an avid reader too – would select books from the Helen Plum Library for the resident and deliver them to his or her home directly. When the program first began, there were only about 20 books in circulation; however, toward the end of the 1980s, that number increased to an impressive 1600 books.
Lois Gentle, Lombard Spectator, Newspaper, c, 1991
For homebound resident, Harriet Lippert, joining the Lombard Homebound Reading Service provided her with more than just books to read at home. The service ultimately allowed her to receive assistance for her worsening vision problems that made her unable to read any books, even with her glasses. After speaking with Lippert about her vision problems, Lois Gentle connected Lippert with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of Congress’ Reading is for Everyone Program. This program offered recorded forms of books, known as Talking Books, which would be especially beneficial to Lippert.
Within the next few weeks, Lippert was provided with six books to listen to on a cassette. After mailing them back within the required four weeks, she could then choose from a variety of options for her next book recordings, which she would receive directly to her house soon after. There was no charge at all for the recordings of the books or even for the postage used for mailing recordings back.
Lippert shared her gratitude for the help from both the Lombard Homebound Reading Service and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, noting,
“They have all been so great. I wasn’t aware that there was anything like this.” Lippert added, “It really gets to be a pain lying in bed when you can’t see.”
Although the Lombard Homebound Reading Service no longer seems to exist here today, it left behind an important legacy that many homebound residents of Lombard greatly appreciated. When confined to their houses, this service provided a vital outlet for the homebound – a way to escape reality and enjoy the captivating world of books.
