Mail-A-Book Programs & Services
Queens Public Library’s Mail-A-Book Service offers homebound customers the convenience of having library materials delivered to their door free of charge. These materials include books in large print, regular print, and audio formats; movies on DVD; and music on CD. Mail-A-Book serves all age groups with many books available for children and young adults. Customers simply request specific titles or indicate their subject or language preferences; materials are then sent to them through the U.S. Postal Service in zippered canvas bags. Return postage is included.
To further meet the needs of Older Adults as well as the Homebound, Queens Public Library is offering innovative interactive programs by teleconference and Skype. Educational and cultural webcasts are now accessible on a PC or smartphone through video stream. These programs help older adults socialize with each other and to remotely participate in discussions led by professionals in various fields. Teleconferences and Skype Video programs are available to all older adults by calling a toll-free number, connecting with Skype, or by clicking on a link provided by the Library at registration. Programs offered include book discussions and general chats, as well as lectures and discussions about health, history, music, art, and literature. We even play bingo over the phone! A valuable resource to those unable to fully utilize traditional library services, these sessions facilitate social networking by allowing users the opportunity to share information and alleviate loneliness.
Mail-A-Book strives to promote social interaction and lifelong learning opportunities with a host of engaging library programs.
More information can be obtained from any Queens Public Library location or by contacting Mail-A-Book headquarters directly at:
Queens Library Mail-A-Book Services to the Homebound
Queens Village Community Library
94-11 217th Street
Queens Village, New York 11428
Madlyn Schneider, Older Adult/Mail-A-Book Coordinator
Willie Simmons, Senior Librarian
Jia-Li Chen, Program Assistant
Hours of Service
Monday - Friday 10 am – 5 pm
Telephone (718) 464-0084
Fax: (718) 479-4609
Services for Adults
- Application for Service in English (Adults)
- Application in Chinese (Adults)
- Application in Spanish (Adults)
- See our Newsletters and calendar of events for a listing of all programs
Services for Children and Teens
- Application for Service (Children and Teens)
- Service for Children and Teens
- We work in partnership with the DOE Office of “Home Instruction Queens”
Reference and Readers Advisory (for homebound only)
- Email a Mail-A-Book librarian with your reference and reader advisory questions: mailabook@queenslibrary.org
Mail-A-Book Newsletters
A schedule of teleconference and Skype programs can be found within our Newsletter and here, these programs are open to all older adults and to the homebound.
- January/February 2019
- March/April 2019
- May/June 2019
- July/August 2019
- September/October 2019
- November/December 2019
- January/February 2020
- March/April 2020
Check out what people have been saying about Mail-A-Book in the news:
- Notes from the Field: Madlyn Schneider and Mail-A-Book
- The Jamaica Estates Association Monthly Bulletin, January 2015
- Library Really Connects with Seniors, Even at Home
- Libraries Now: A Day in the Life of NYC’s Branches
- What Is A Library
- Older Adults: More, Better, Longer
- Fun and Enrichment for Older Adults
- Mail a Book’s Madlyn Schneider is one of 10 National Winners in 2012 “I Love My Librarian Award"
- Queens Library's Madlyn Schneider Wins National Award
- In Queens, Homebound Kids Can Join Story Time Via Skype