A HOUSEBOUND pensioner has called for more frequent home visits by the library service.

Ailene Wade, of Silsden, who is in her 80s, is dismayed that she gets a visit from Bradford Council staff only once every six weeks.

Her visits were reduced last year as part of district-wide library cuts, which also saw the end of mobile libraries visiting Silsden.

A last-minute U-turn in the spring of last year saved home visits, with a reduction from three to six weeks per person.

Bradford Council has revealed it is looking at the possibility of expanding the current service, which regularly visits 500 housebound people.

Miss Wade, of Tillotson Street, said housebound people felt they were out of sight and out of mind, and did not matter to the council.

Jackie Kitwood, principal libraries officer at Bradford Council, confirmed the district’s mobile library service was scrapped in March last year as part of budget reductions.

She said: “We do provide a home library service.

“This consists of one delivery van and 37 hours of staff time. “Customers are allowed to borrow up to 25 books and audio books at each visit.

“Each customer has a reading profile drawn up, as the amount of books/audio books that can be carried about is limited.

“We are currently reviewing the service to see if it would be possible to make more frequent visits.”