Culture | Posted on August 13th, 2025 | return to news

Dorset Home Library Service reveals latest survey results

The service, which sees volunteers deliver books to those unable to visit their local library, is recommended by 90 per cent of users.

The Dorset Home Library Service (HLS) has revealed the results from its customer satisfaction survey. Conducted in the spring, the survey found that 90 per cent of respondents would recommend the service to family and friends.

The HLS delivers books and other resources across Dorset to anyone who cannot easily get to their local library due to health or mobility issues or caring responsibilities. Funded by Dorset Library Service and delivered by Royal Voluntary Service volunteers, the service is free of charge.

Volunteers visit clients on a regular basis (usually every three or four weeks) choosing and delivering books to clients’ homes. All RVS volunteer deliverers are DBS checked (enhanced barred), and all volunteers receive ongoing training and support, and many clients look forward to the regular visit from a trusted volunteer.

The Dorset service has 173 volunteers, delivering 124 regular rounds; the volunteers spend around 620 hours every three weeks on ordering/choosing books and delivering the service.

Currently, the service has 361 active clients. In the spring, 131 clients filled in a survey giving feedback on the service.

A total of 119 of 131 people said they would recommend the service to family and friends 103 said they feel a greater sense of social connection after receiving your delivery, and 97 said their mood or wellbeing had improved after receiving a delivery.

Clients also provided comments on the survey. One said: “I really look forward to delivery day and seeing my volunteer – it’s someone to talk to, who is like-minded and cheery – the highlight of my month really.”

Another client, based in Purbeck, said: “Receiving the HLS confirms to me that someone cares. I don’t have any visitors and this breaks the loneliness. It makes me smile – and I can’t wait to dip into the books and decide on the order I am going to read them.”

A spokesperson for the HLS said: “Yet again, this annual report clearly shows the impact the Home Library Service has on the lives of our clients, and how much they appreciate both the delivery of books and talking books, and the regular visit by their volunteer/s, be it at the doorstep or in their homes. Similarly, our Home Library Service volunteers often talk about the joy and sense of satisfaction they experience when delivering the books and talking to/visiting their readers.”

The majority of HLS volunteers are between 65 and 80 years old, often of the same age or older than the people they deliver to. According to the HLS, volunteering is a means to staying active and involved in community life.

If you would like to make use of the free library service, contact the HLS by calling 01305 236666, emailing maria.jacobson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk, or speaking to your local library.