But she has not visited the library for the past eight years, due to a stroke that paralysed her left side.

For book lovers like Madam Quek, the library now goes to their homes instead, with 'Project Deliver Me', a delivery service for the physically challenged launched by the National Library Board on Wednesday.

The service is available to those who have difficulties in accessing a library or moving around in one due to an illness or disability. They must be registered members of organisations that serve the physically-challenged.

Madam Quek, who is registered with the Handicaps Welfare Association, is grateful for the service.

'Anytime I have books, it perks me up,' she enthused. 'I will read until I'm 80 years old.'

She is one of 53 who have signed up for the service since its pilot run in June 2007.

Project Deliver Me was conceived to reach out to the homebound, to ensure that they are not left behind because of physical barriers. Those interested just need to indicate their reading preferences when they fill up the registration form for the delivery service.

A group of volunteers, the Friends of the Library, will handpick up to eight books and Audio-Visual materials and also deliver these materials to those who have signed up for the service.

Said Ms Joyce Teo 31, a volunteer who works as a foundation manager: 'I am an avid reader. It's nice to share my love for books with other people. As this volunteer project happens every 10 weeks, and on Saturdays, it's good for working adults like me.'

The volunteers will do their home deliveries on six pre-determined days each year. And they do not have to worry about transport to and from the beneficiaries' homes.

ComfortDelGro cabbies under the CabbyCare Charity Group do their bit by providing free taxi trips for the volunteers.

Volunteer welfare organisations and individuals who want to sign up or find out more about the service can call the National Library Board on 6332-3255.