The library in your mailbox

Elizabeth Hensley
Published: July 5, 2008

Every now and then someone asks “Why doesn’t the library have a bookmobile?” While the answer does have a lot to do with the high cost of staffing and maintaining such a mobile service, we also think we provide an even better option: our “Free Library Service by Mail” program. We contract with Lonesome Pine Regional Library to bring you this service. You don’t have to keep track of a bookmobile schedule nor do you need to leave your home to pick up your books or to return them.

With “Free Library Service by Mail,” you can order library materials for free, receive them in the mail, keep them for the three-week checkout period, and then return them in the postage-paid bag provided.
In order to participate in the program, all you need is a catalog in order to make your selections. The catalog includes hundreds of titles in both print and audio formats. There are also large print titles, titles for teens and children, and craft pamphlets. The catalog options change every six months, usually in spring and fall.

You can find catalogs in the waiting rooms of area doctors’ and dentists’ offices. In addition, they are available at America House; the Baptist Retirement Center; Culpeper Health & Rehabilitation Center; Family Care Home, Health & Hospice; the Free Clinic of Culpeper; Hospice of the Rapidan; and the Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board office. And yes, we have them at the library, too. If your organization would like to have a supply, please let me know and we will add you to the route.

Delivering hundreds of these catalogs to all of the various locations is no small task. Well over a decade ago, the library’s former director used to deliver them herself. A member of the Friends of the Library, Ginny Magura, saw an opportunity to help, and so she volunteered to take over the job. She’s been delivering the catalogs ever since then. As Culpeper has grown, so have the number of locations. Ginny now has a partner, Mary Margaret Lacey, and together they make sure the catalogs are delivered promptly.

As you can tell from the locations where we provide catalogs, we have targeted members of the population who may not be able to make it into the library easily due to illness or physical limitations.

Whether you have a permanent disability or find yourself laid up temporarily due to a broken leg, this service may be just what you need. Try it out and let us know what you think.

Elizabeth Hensley is the Adult Services Coordinator at the Culpeper County Library. She can be reached at or 825-8691.