BREWERTON — The Northern Onondaga Public Library (NOPL) is expanding a program to connect with community members who have difficulty getting to the library.

NOPL’s Homebound Delivery Program delivers library materials to patrons unable to get to their local library. The service is intended for anyone who may be stuck at home for any reason, including, but not limited to illness, pregnancy or recent birth, injury, or age.

People in the program may request books, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs. In addition, Homebound Delivery lends out Kindle Fires that offer patrons thousands of e-book and audiobook selections. Should a patron who checks out a Kindle Fire not have internet access, NOPL can pre-download e-books and audiobooks before they are delivered.

There are two types of service for Homebound Delivery: Recommended Reads and Holds Only. A NOPL librarian will select books or other items based on the listed interest for those signed up for Recommended Reads. Holds Only delivery is intended for those with easy access to the NOPL catalog at home and who submit hold requests for desired items.

Homebound Delivery started with help from Meals on Wheels in 2019 and began with seven registered people. Now, roughly 24 people are signed up for the program, and in the past, as many as 30 people have been registered at one time.

Now, NOPL is hoping to make the program even bigger. Currently, the NOPL team delivers new materials and picks up returning items every third Friday of the month. The team is looking to expand to a second team to cover more ground. The NOPL Homebound Delivery program only services those within the NOPL area, from Brewerton to the edges of North Syracuse. For those not within the NOPL district, other libraries may have similar outreach programs, such as the Liverpool Public Library.

Interested parties can acquire an application from NOPL’s website or by calling the Brewerton Branch to request a mailed application. The form can be returned to any NOPL location. In addition, those interested in the Recommended Reads service option will be asked to provide their reading preferences.

To learn more about NOPL’s Homebound Delivery program, check NOPL’s website at nopl.org/homebound-delivery, or call NOPL’s Brewerton branch at 315-676-7484 with questions.

NOPL events

THURSDAY, AUG. 4

Zoo To You

1 to 2:30 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane

The world of reading comes alive with this fun and educational program that will bring you face-to-face with exciting zoo animals. Get hands-on with the zoo’s one-of-a-kind animal artifacts, ask a professional zoo educator your animal questions, and learn how you can make a difference to wildlife. Please register at nopl.org.

Papercrafting

1 to 3 p.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St.

Tweens and teens will learn how to use just paper, scissors, and glue to create sculptures and wall decorations. For more information, call 315-676-7484 or visit nopl.org.

Meditation with Allison

6 to 7 p.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane

Allison Mitura from Ginger Tea Yoga Company will introduce a variety of meditation techniques and will provide time for group reflection and questions. Join us to learn to be present, slow down, and just breathe. Please register at nopl.org.

MONDAY, AUG. 8

Super Mario Party

3 to 4:30 p.m. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane

Celebrate Mario and his friends with crafts and games! Please register at nopl.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 10

Kids STEAM Challenge: Water Filters

10 a.m. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane

Experiment with different materials to see what makes the best water filters and how they work. Please register at nopl.org.

Homeschool Meetup

1 to 2:30 p.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St.

Meet with other local homeschooling families. Need materials on a particular subject? We will have librarians available to aid you in selecting resources. For more information, call 315-676-7484 or visit nopl.org.