City's libraries use e-bike book delivery service

Home deliveries for library books are delivered using e-bikes in Southampton

A city's library service is encouraging people to sign up to its home delivery service that uses eco-friendly transport.

The free Southampton scheme enables people who are unable to leave their homes to have books brought to their doors using e-bikes.

The service is funded by Solent Future Transport Zone as part of a range of sustainable transport trials across the Solent area.

City council leader Lorna Fielker said the home library service was "designed to support people's wellbeing".

"The fantastic, hassle-free green service means that everyone can enjoy all that our award-winning libraries have to offer," she said.

Southampton resident Anne Bothwell is a regular customer and has received more than 70 titles so far this year.

She said she belonged to a book group of old friends and got recommendations from them.

"I found it very difficult to get out on my own so this scheme is ideal for me," she said.

"I like novels, politics, memoirs, occasional detective stories. When the books arrive it's like a treat each week".

Diana Brookes said she liked the surprise of not knowing what she would receive from the collection of books

Another happy customer is Diana Brookes - she said using the service had allowed her to carry on her lifelong passion.

She said: "I've been reading books from libraries since I was five years old. The home library service enables me to carry on reading.

"I can't afford to keep buying books and anyway I like the surprise that you get. It's like birthdays or Christmas."