This month marks a remarkable milestone for the City of Joondalup Libraries – 50 years of the Books on Wheels service! To celebrate, a small morning tea was held at Joondalup Library on Monday 24 November, attended by Mayor Daniel Kingston, staff and volunteers.
Books on Wheels began in 1975 with a simple but powerful mission: to deliver books, DVDs magazines, and audiobooks to residents who couldn’t physically visit the library. Today, that mission continues with a dedicated team of two staff members and several volunteers who visit individual homes and aged care facilities every fortnight, bringing a fresh selection of reading material tailored to each person’s interests.
Volunteers have always been at the heart of this service. In the early years, the Duncraig-Sorrento Red Cross ran the program on behalf of the libraries. From the 1990s until 2005, volunteers delivered books to private homes while library staff focused on aged care facilities. Today, volunteers assist staff in selecting books for the many people who rely on this service, ensuring every delivery is personal and meaningful. Currently, the youngest customer is a teenager, and the oldest is a centenarian who was born in 1923.
Do you know someone who would love a personalised selection of library items delivered to their door every fortnight? Contact us at books.onwheels@joondalup.wa.gov.au or call 9400 4755 to find out more.