A woman with disabilities who avails of the Libraries NI Homecall service, calling it her "last lifeline", said she "sat and cried" when she was informed that it would be suspended over the summer months.

The Homecall service enables readers to contact their local library and request a selection of books to be delivered to their home if they are unable to visit the library themselves or do not have someone who can go to the library on their behalf.

Joan Boyd from Maguiresbridge has been availing of the Homecall service for a number of years as, due to her disabilities, she struggles to walk very far, so "can't get out any more".

She had previously been visited by the mobile library until the service was stopped in her locality around three years ago.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Joan described her distress on receiving the news that the Homecall service would be suspended for 11 weeks.

"I sat and cried when [I was told]. All the services dwindle off – this was my last lifeline. Now they are taking that off me too," she said, commenting that as she can't get out and about easily, her book delivery was a great comfort to her.

"I'm not the only one availing of this service," Joan added, aware that there are others like herself who will also be adversely impacted by the service suspension.

When asked by this newspaper why the Homecall service had been suspended for 11 weeks, a Libraries NI spokesperson said: “During the summer, customers can use libraries differently and library opening hours are normally reduced during this period.

"Mobile library services are also usually reduced over the summer months, for example, taking three weeks off to facilitate vehicle servicing and staff taking leave, reflecting the lower demands from the public and for school visits.

“This year, Libraries NI is extending the period of service ‘downtime’ to the month of July with less frequent services operating during August."

Responding to the question of what date the service will resume, the spokesperson said: "The mobile services will return to their original timetables in the first week of September.

"Homecall services will visit customers once during August, and during the first week of September they will return to their normal pattern of calling with customers once every two or three weeks.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause, but for those customers who rely on the mobile and Homecall services, we have worked in advance to ensure that everyone has sufficient reading material for the period by increasing the number of books and materials that can be borrowed," added the spokesperson.