Hello,

Because the elderly cannot get out very well, I would imagine.

The library delivers the books/magazines, etc that they want to read to their home

I hope this helps.

The French often refer to this type of service as a "bibliobus", and in the UK the term "mobile library" is common.

Not generally that keen on citing Wikipédia, but here you are never the less. Note that the vehicle is not necessarily a bus but the term remains.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliobus

Un bibliobus est un véhicule aménagé pour servir de bibliothèque. Les premiers bibliobus sont apparus peu après le développement de l'automobile, aux lendemains de la Première Guerre mondiale. En France, les bibliobus ont longtemps été le principal instrument des bibliothèques départementales de prêt (BDP).
Dans les autres pays, ils existent très majoritairement comme des substituts aux bibliothèques construites en dur et en reprennent l'essentiel des fonctions. Ce sont alors souvent des « caisses » remorquées de grande taille, pouvant même déployer des surfaces importantes par un système de désemboitage dont les tiroirs sont soutenus par des vérins. Le terme anglais de « mobile library » définit cet usage majoritaire qui connaît une variante spécifique en France (voir plus bas : bibliobus rayons pour prêt aux bibliothèques).


http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/libraries/service...
Our fleet of 11 mobile libraries visits nearly every village and hamlet in the county, making over 600 stops on a weekly, or fortnightly, basis. The time at each stop can vary between 10 minutes and three hours; the length of the stop depending on the size of the community and number of customers that use the services of our Mobiles.
All 11 mobile libraries have lift access.
Most mobile libraries carry a stock of over 1800 books and audio items and the selection is constantly changing. Community information is also available on board and the staff are happy to provide access to the wider network of Libraries & Archives through reservations for particular items and requests for information.


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Note added at 15 hrs (2009-05-16 12:37:12 GMT)
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If you are not sure that it is in fact a vehicle which does its rounds, (which is the case where my parents live), then "mobile library service" might be a little more general. The serivce offered by the library in Brest suggests a more individual and intimate service than the 'bibliobus' in theire description of "service à domicile" :

http://applications-internet.mairie-brest.fr/VIPBI21/Interli...
Autour des publics empêchés

Un service de prêt à domicile :
La bibliothèque municipale de Brest a créé en 1988 un service de prêt à domicile.
Il s'adresse à un public empêché : personnes agées, malades ou handicapées.
Loin des rayonnages de la bibliothèque nous leur proposons de bénéficier de services semblables aux autres usagers.
En venant à domicile l'équipe de bibliothécaires met à la disposition de ses lecteurs l'ensemble des documents du réseau des bibliothèques de Brest.

Un partenariat avec les structures accueillant les personnes agées
La bibliothèque de Brest intervient dans les maisons de retraite, foyers-logements ... de la ville.
Les actions sont plurielles : prêt de livres en individuel, dépôt de documents, participation à des ateliers (mémoire, lecture à haute voix...), activités autour du multimédia et de la reliure.


"mobile library service" covers both possibilities in my

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Note added at 15 hrs (2009-05-16 12:37:22 GMT)
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view.



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Note added at 15 hrs (2009-05-16 12:44:03 GMT)
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In the first example, in Leicester, is the “mobile library service” is aimed at a public which does not have access to what they refer to as a “static” library.
In the second example, the town of Manchester offers the bus service, and on another page of their site, it goes on to detail the fact that they will come directly to your flat or house if you need them to. This is described here as a “home visits service”.
http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/community/libraries/county_lib...

Mobile Library Service
Route Details.
Home Library Service (Books on Wheels)
The mobile library service visits communities that do not have a static library throughout Leicestershire, as well as some urban areas.
The mobile libraries visit fortnightly and the cycle is referred to as "week one" and "week two" in the timetables. See Route Details.
Each mobile is referred to by a number and is based at a particular library. If you want to renew your books or check if a mobile is running you will need to contact the operating library.


http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php...
About the Mobile Library Service
If you don't live near the library, then maybe we can bring the library nearer to you! Our fleet of mobile libraries make 40 stops across the City each week, targeting places furthest away from our branch libraries. We also offer services to sheltered housing, a home library service and a postal cassette service.
We're always interested to know what you think about our services. If you have any comments or queries about mobile libraries, then get in touch - telephone 0161 957 5900 or email:[email protected].


http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php...

Mobile Library Services
Home Visits Service
This service is for you if you have trouble getting out and about. When you sign up, tell us your favourite authors or the type of book you especially like to read, and we'll bring them to you. We can also deliver videos, DVDs, spoken word on tape or CD and music CDs to listen to.
We will come to your home every 3 weeks and our team members are security vetted and always carry photo ID. We will always tell you when our next visit will be, so we don't turn up on your doorstep unexpectedly. If you're not in when we call, we'll leave you a note and you can call us to re-arrange a visit. You can borrow up to 25 items, and there are no overdue fines to pay. If you're interested in signing up for this service, then give us a call on 0161 957 5900, email us, or use our online form.

I left out 'home' deliberately. This is my suggestion. Hope it is of use.