We’re proud of our library outreach programs, aided by many of our wonderful volunteers. This includes our Home Library Service program for socially isolated residents living in the City of Yarra.

The program sees volunteers collect prepared bags of library books and other items from Fitzroy Library for clients and then deliver them to their homes. The volunteer provides a friendly face and a chat before returning any previously loaned books back to the library.

Meet Home Library volunteer Denise

Retiree Denise Formby has been volunteering with our service since 2021 and also does Meals On Wheels with her local council. She joined after she saw a poster at the North Fitzroy Library during a visit with her grandchildren. She was matched with client Catherine, who has lived at Rushall Retirement Village for 34 years and doesn’t have the mobility capacity to visit the library herself.

Denise visits Catherine’s home once a month to deliver her favourite genre of books including murder mysteries, biographies and autobiographies. She stays for a cuppa and a chat, and they take turns in a providing a cake for morning tea. They have developed a beautiful friendship over the past three years and have found they have a lot in common when swapping life stories and interests.

Denise loves volunteering with the Home Library Service program and feels there is mutual benefit. She is motivated to volunteer as it feels good knowing she is helping someone.

Get involved

Are you keen to help others and make new connections like Denise? Do you have skills and expertise you’d like to offer our community?  

Find out more about our current volunteering opportunities and the programs and services on offer at Yarra Libraries.