When 77-year-old Lorraine Collins gave up driving, what she missed most were her frequent trips to the Butler Public Library.

The lifelong reader found herself asking her daughter for a ride several times a week, a schedule that soon became hard to manage.

During one trip, reference librarian Rebecca Brown suggested Collins enroll in the doorstep delivery program, in which volunteers bring library materials to homebound patrons in Butler County.

"All my life, I've been busy and active and doing whatever I wanted to do," Collins said. "Unless you can't get out, you don't know how much it means having books brought to you."

The program has existed in some form at the Butler Public Library for at least 20 years, Brown said, though she noticed participation declining earlier this year because volunteers were needed.

"I put out a flyer and I got bombarded with people willing to volunteer," she said. "Right now I've got more volunteers than patrons."

Participants must complete a simple application, and Brown can take information over the phone from homebound patrons.

When matching volunteers and patrons, Brown first considers what they have in common, such as their favorite authors and genres and other interests.

"Recently, we had a woman who was trying to learn Spanish and then we had a Spanish teacher volunteer, which was a perfect fit," Brown recalls.

Patrons can request specific titles by accessing the library's card catalog online or by asking their assigned volunteer, but most trust the volunteers to choose items for them.

Brown keeps a record of what patrons have read to avoid repeats and inspire volunteers.

Volunteers typically select and deliver books once a month, although volunteers and patrons keep in touch to coordinate schedules.

Some volunteers simply choose books at the library while others deliver, Brown said.

Sharon DeAngelo, 50, of Connoquenessing Township, selects books for one patron. Since DeAngelo is recovering from shoulder surgery, another volunteer does the delivering.

DeAngelo said she had never heard of such a program before, even though she's lived in three different states.

"I thought, what a beautiful way for the library to give back to the community," she said.

She considers her patron's favorite authors and subjects and makes sure to select large-print items to accommodate eyesight issues.

Although DeAngelo has never met her patron, she said she relates to her.

About three years ago, DeAngelo experienced a traumatic incident that caused nerve damage behind her right eye.

"One of the things that crossed my mind when I realized I wouldn't get my eyesight back was 'Would I be able to read like I used to?'" DeAngelo said. "I think that's why I feel so connected to her."

Lucy Dollar of Butler Township delivers once every few weeks to a woman who lives nearby.

"To fill your hours with literature is such a joy," said Dollar, who taught English at Karns City High School for 26 years.

An avid reader, Dollar has no trouble finding books to recommend.

However, it is sometimes difficult for patrons to borrow bestsellers, which can only be checked out for seven days, Dollar explained.

"Other libraries will bring them in on the loan system, but they keep them longer than most people do," Dollar said. "They have to wait until they were put back in the stacks."

The library makes it clear that volunteers are only responsible for delivering materials and not for performing other tasks and errands, Brown said.

Still, many participants have formed friendships since the program provides an important opportunity for patrons to socialize, Brown said.

"We have a couple of people who've gone over and had dinner," Brown said. "And one volunteer would bring her children over because the other woman absolutely loved young children."

Collins said she looks forward to seeing Ruth Stiltz and Shelley Brown, the volunteers who visit her apartment every Monday.

"They usually stay about 30 or 40 minutes, so we have a pretty good visit," Collins said.

Since the number of volunteers has surpassed the 10 or so patrons, Brown said she hopes more people will enroll in the program.

"I know there are a lot of people out there who would take advantage of it, but haven't heard about it," she said. "If they love to read, we really want to be able to provide them with materials so everyone has access to the library."

For information, contact Brown at 724-287-1715 or rbrown@bcfls.org.