You don't have to give up using the library just because you can't get around.

A program called Books by Mail is now available to serve the homebound, the Coplay Public Library Board announced at its Oct. 10 meeting.

Books by Mail is a program started by the Allentown Public Library in the early 1980s, said Books by Mail coordinator Kenneth Woolley III during a phone interview Tuesday.

Those interested in participating simply call Woolley or one of his colleagues at 610-820-2400 and sign up over the phone. Books, DVDs and other materials are then sent to the borrower by mail and returned the same way.

Although it was initially only for Allentown library patrons, Woolley said the Allentown library is now offering the service to neighboring communities including Coplay and Whitehall.

Woolley said no one checks medical records. However, they have other ways to make sure people qualify.

"They can't ... be actively checking out books because then they're not really homebound," said Woolley.

Likewise, people who say they just don't get to their local libraries often won't qualify because the point is they can get there if they want.

The service is intended for those who can no longer drive or have trouble walking. This includes someone who qualifies on a short-term basis due to recent surgery.

Many users are residents of retirement homes and elder care facilities, Woolley said.

The program is made possible by the fact that the U.S. Postal Service will ship books to homebound patrons free. The only cost is staffing – which the Allentown library pays for anyway – and the special zippered vinyl pouches used to mail the materials, Woolley said.

Woolley noted libraries must pay for postage for all other mailings. The free postage applies only to materials shipped to homebound patrons in the special vinyl pouches because the service helps someone with a handicap.

Coplay library did not have to do anything special in order to offer Books by Mail to its patrons. Woolley simply wants library officials to spread the word about the service.

"That's one of [a library's] functions, to get information out there," he said.

"It's actually a wonderful, wonderful option," Coplay Public Library Board President Janet Eisenhauer said at the meeting.