Books-by-Mail is for Library cardholders who are unable to leave home due to permanent or temporary disability. 

Eligibility

Books-by-Mail is available to all residents of Orleans Parish over eighteen years of age who are homebound due to medical or mobility issues. 

What may be borrowed 

Only books may be borrowed through the Books-by-Mail program. Participants are allowed two books at a time. Items are loaned for 3 weeks at a time. Each item can be renewed up to two times as long as the items are not requested by someone else. Participants may call any New Orleans Public Library location or go to nolalibrary.org to renew. Overdue fines are $0.20 per day per item. Participants will not be charged for days the items are in transit. 

Applications Process: 

Step 1: Apply to participate in the Books-by-Mail program by completing the application form below, by downloading the application, or by requesting a printed application at any Library location. 

Step 2: Submit the completed application form by email to Books-by-Mail, by giving it to any Library staff member at any Library location, or by mailing it to the address below: 

Books-by-Mail
New Orleans Public Library
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans LA, 70112 

Step 3: Once an application has been received and is approved, the Books-by-Mail Coordinator will contact the participant with a welcome letter and further instructions. 

How Books-by-Mail Works: 

Books will be mailed in a prepaid, reusable bag. Once participants are finished with their books, they can return them to the Library in the same bag. All they need to do is turn the address card that is attached to the front of the bag so that New Orleans Public Library is displayed and give the bag to their mail carrier. Participants will not need to pay any postage. 

Once the books are returned and received by New Orleans Public Library, the next selections will be mailed. 

For questions or additional information related to this service, ask any Library staff member or send an email to booksbymail@nolalibrary.org.