By Keith Ecker, HEPL Home Delivery Volunteer
Hamilton East Public Library is full of resources for its community to use, but some members are not able to come in-person to take advantage of them. Through the library’s home delivery service, we bring the library to you. Any resident of Delaware, Fall Creek, Noblesville, or Wayne Township in Hamilton County who is unable to visit the library is eligible for this service. Get to know the service by reading about Keith and his experience as a home delivery volunteer.
Keith’s Experience
Keith Ecker
Now that I am retired, I wanted to devote some of my time and energy to serving my community. Volunteering with the library’s home delivery service was the perfect opportunity because it allows me the flexibility to fit it into my schedule while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
I often compare our home delivery service to Meals on Wheels, except instead of delivering meals, we deliver books, movies, and other library materials that nourish the mind. On a typical delivery day, I pick up materials that have been selected by the patrons and deliver them directly to their homes. Along the way, I have the opportunity to visit with patrons, hear about what they have enjoyed, and often receive recommendations for what I should read next. It is a simple service that makes a meaningful difference by bringing the joy of reading and lifelong learning to those who cannot easily visit the library.
People use the home delivery service for a variety of reasons. Many of the patrons I serve live in assisted living communities or are no longer able to drive. Others include parents caring for babies or toddlers, homeschooling families, caregivers with limited time to visit the library, and individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities that make traveling to the library difficult.
HEPL staff loading home delivery bags into library van.
This is a valuable service for all of the people I noted above and in this age of a multitude of items being delivered directly to homes, this service keeps in step with current trends/needs. Overall, the service helps ensure that everyone has access to books and other library materials, regardless of their circumstances.
What has surprised me most about participating in the home delivery program is how avid many of our patrons are as readers—sometimes I am delivering a large bag filled with books or DVDs to a single home. I am also struck by how wide an area our public library system serves. As I travel from stop to stop, I often discover new neighborhoods, parks, and restaurants that I make a note to explore later. I am especially grateful for my GPS, which helps me reliably locate each delivery address along the way.
Beyond helping patrons expand their thoughts and ideas through literature and media, these deliveries help extend the reach of the library itself, reinforcing it as a vital and valued resource within the community. While many of my deliveries are simply left on a patron’s front porch, those who are home always seem happy to see a friendly face. For many individuals who are unable to get out very often, these brief visits provide a welcome opportunity for conversation and connection. It is heartwarming to hear their appreciation for the service and to share in their excitement about the books, movies, or music they have been looking forward to enjoying. Those small interactions often brighten both their day and mine.
Many people may not realize that the library offers this home delivery service. It is free, easy to use, and designed to make library materials more accessible. I would encourage anyone who is unable to travel to the library—or who simply prefers the convenience of having items brought to them—to take advantage of this wonderful service.
Home delivery bag dropped off at your door!
I have met many wonderful patrons who are eager to share their appreciation for this service. One of my favorite moments is when a patron recommends a book to me—I quickly add it to my Goodreads account so I can enjoy it later! One gentleman requests only music DVDs, and it is always rewarding to see his face light up when I arrive with new selections for him to enjoy. Another patron proudly showed me her latest piece of artwork, excited to share her creativity. These personal connections have made volunteering especially meaningful and are experiences that have stayed with me.
These personal connections have made volunteering especially meaningful and are experiences that have stayed with me.
Home Delivery photos and videos by Sydney Pinchouck