Bring the library to you.
Home Service provides access to library materials for Pierce County Library System customers who are unable to visit one of our locations in person.
- Individual Delivery – Up to 10 items are delivered to customers once a month.
- Home Service Collections – Adult Family Homes (AFHs) are eligible to receive bins of library materials checked out to them to be shared and used by any resident of the facility. Home Service Collections are also delivered to AFHs by Library staff.
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Individuals and Adult Family Homes interested in receiving Home Service must complete an application for service.
For more information on qualifying for service or how to apply, see the FAQ below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for service?
Individual customers may be eligible for Home Service if they have met the following criteria:
- Reside in the Pierce County Library System service area. Learn more about our service area.
- Have a current Pierce County Library card.
- Face significant barriers to visiting the library.
Adult Family Homes may be eligible to receive Home Service Collections if they have met the following criteria:
- Be located in the Pierce County Library System service area.
- Have at least four individuals in residence.
- Apply for an institutional library card.
Can I still visit the library in person if I receive Home Service?
Home Service is reserved for individuals who are unable to visit the library in person and allows Adult Family Homes to access materials for individuals in their care. If you are an individual or represent a facility that is still interested in visiting the library in-person to browse or check out materials, Home Service may not be a fit for you.
Is medical documentation required?
No medical documentation is required from individuals to receive Home Service, but you must agree to the Home Service terms in the application, which include acknowledgement that you are unable to visit a library in person.
Examples of qualifying individuals include residents of adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and care facilities; those who live independently but lack transportation to the library or are unable to drive; people recovering from illness or injury; or those who are living at a rehab facility.
If you have been receiving Home Service and your circumstances change such that you can visit a library in person, you are expected to notify Outreach Services to pause or stop deliveries.
What if I need help filling out the application?
Contact Outreach Services at 253-548-3536 for assistance.
Do I need a library card?
Yes. If you do not already have a current Pierce County Library card, you will be issued a card as part of onboarding you to Home Service. Adult Family Homes will be issued an institutional library card.
What happens after I apply for service?
Outreach Services staff will review your application and contact you within 14 days to go over how Home Service works, ask questions about the type of materials you would like to receive and address any concerns you have.
How long will it take before I receive my first delivery?
While we do our best to get Home Service started right away, it can sometimes take up to two months to schedule your first delivery. This is because deliveries only take place once a month. If Outreach Services staff have already completed the delivery routes in your area for the month, your first delivery could be delayed.
How many items can I receive at a time? How are items chosen?
Individuals who receive Home Service can receive up to 10 items per month, and Adult Family Homes that receive Home Service collections can receive up to 25 items per month.
Individuals and AFHs have access to audiobooks, books, CDs, DVDs and magazines and can place their own holds, contact Outreach Services to request specific titles or request that Outreach Services select a grab bag of materials on their behalf based on customer preferences.
If you request a grab bag, library staff will shop the shelves for you and select up to 10 items (audiobooks, books, CDs, DVDs, or magazines) based on interests you share with us. As an example, you might ask for one non-fiction audiobook and two large-print cozy mysteries.
Who delivers my materials? Do I need to be home during delivery?
Library staff do doorstep delivery and exchange of library materials for all Home Services customers. You are responsible for having your library materials ready for pick-up and exchange, either on the doorstep or at the front desk of your residence.
Can I renew materials delivered by Home Service?
Home Service is meant to be a monthly exchange. However, if you have not finished reading, watching, or listening to something you have checked out and wish to keep it longer, you may contact Outreach Services at 253-548-3536 to request renewal.
What if I have an appointment or am out of town when my monthly exchange is set to happen?
If you are unable to have your library materials ready for pick-up and exchange at the designated time, please contact Outreach Services at 253-548-3536 to reschedule your regular delivery.
We will do our best to accommodate requests, but you may miss service for a month and have to resume later.
What if I move or no longer need Home Service?
If you move to a new location within the Pierce County Library service area, we will work with you to reassign you to a new delivery route.
If you move outside of the Pierce County Library service area or no longer need Home Service, contact Outreach Services at 253-548-3536. We will arrange a final pick-up of your materials.
What resources are available for Home Service customers that can’t read standard print?
Home Service customers have access to audiobooks and large-print books in addition to other items. Outreach Services may also refer customers to the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) for additional support. WTTBL offers audiobooks, braille books, large print books and magazines by mail, as well as downloadable audiobooks and electronic braille materials.
