Older adult and shut-in service (OASIS)
If you’re unable to visit the library due to age, illness, or physical disability, our Older Adult and Shut-In Service (OASIS) has a range of services that can help bring the library to you. We provide reading material and programs to homebound people in nursing homes, retirement communities, senior centers, and private residences. We also serve people in prisons and other institutions. For more information about OASIS, please contact us at 919-560-0152 or 919-560-0153.
Institutional settings
We offer monthly book deliveries to a range of institutions. For nursing homes, retirement communities, and senior centers, we bring a selection of books to set up for residents to choose from. We also bring along items that residents requested in advance. For prisons, our point of contact collects requests in advance, and we deliver the requested items.
If you work at an institution that wants to set up monthly visits, use our request a visit form to get in touch.
Homebound services
Our Home Delivery service offers delivery and pick-up of materials throughout Durham County to people who are physically unable to visit a library due to medical reasons. You can place holds on books you want in the online catalog or by calling the library. We can also select books just for you based on your reading tastes. Materials are either dropped off for you or mailed to you through Books by Mail. To sign up for home delivery, please fill out our online application or call our OASIS team at 919-560-0152 or 919-560-0153.
Talking Book referrals
The NC Library for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (NCLBPH) loans books and magazines especially made for people who can’t use regular printed material because of a visual or physical disability. They have more than 50,000 books available in audio, large print, and braille. They can also loan you a digital talking book player. Our OASIS team can help you get signed up for the service.
Reminiscing kits
These multimedia resource kits are designed to get older adults remembering, thinking, and talking about their lives. The kits are built around themes like fashion, fun and games, school days, and work life. Kits contain a variety of memorabilia and other items (like videos, music, activity booklets, things to touch and smell, and more), along with a complete how-to-do-it manual.
Large print books
Available at many locations and on the bookmobile. Browse large print titles in the library catalog, or call your local branch to find out what is available.