Socialisation for the older homebound person, through the Homebound Service

Abstract

Research problem: Libraries have an ethical requirement to offer their services for all in the community. Those confined to their home and unable to physically make it in to the library, while they are able to still obtain information and reading material through the homebound services, miss out on the social aspect a trip to the library provides. Feelings of isolation can cause mental and physical health to rapidly deteriorate. This study hopes to find out ways that homebound patrons are still able to experience the critical aspect of socialisation through the public library system.

Methodology: The research followed an exploratory mixed methods design. A survey was issued on a number of international and local listservs questioning staff in charge of public libraries homebound services, on how their homebound services were run and ways they found to include the homebound patron socially.

Results: Many libraries found budgets and staffing levels a barrier. However, it was found that socialisation didn’t just involve bussing the homebound person in for events, or use of the Internet. Importance was also placed on the value of social contact gained through the use of volunteer delivery.

Implications: Libraries need to find ways to socially include the homebound patron. This means where possible, ways around barriers such as budget and geographical constraints to still socially include the homebound person, so that they are able to more fully participate in the library experience and ease their social isolation and feelings of loneliness.