News RSS Feed Send your news, pictures & videos


Streamlined mobile library service set to be launched

1:10pm Tuesday 5th July 2011 in News By Miranda Robertson

HAMPSHIRE County Council’s mobile library service will launch its new streamlined service on Monday.

It is hoped that the new service will save the council half a million pounds.

All the new routes are now available online at hants.gov.uk/mobile-libraries or by calling 0845 603 5631, so that people can check out where their new stop is going to be.

Nearly every community will still receive one visit each month from one of the four completely restocked mobile libraries. In total, the mobile library vehicles will be making 365 stops each month, including a new Saturday service, and will be stopping for longer periods of time in busier locations.

The county, town and parish councils will be publicising the stops in their towns and villages. In 12 months’ time a review will be held to make sure each stop is worthwhile running.

If people wish to use a mobile library but are unable to get to the new stop then a friend, family member or neighbour willing to visit the library or mobile library on their behalf can be registered as a Good Neighbour and borrow books for them.

If a person is frail or has mobility problems, arrangements can be made for books to be delivered directly to their home.

For more information on these services call 0845 603 5631 or go to: hants.gov.uk/library and search A-Z of services for home library service.

Hampshire County Council’s executive member for culture and recreation Keith Chapman said: “The new service is a result of two extensive public consultations and will save more than £500,000 a year.

“But the reshuffle was not only about saving money, it was about making the service fit for the 21st century.

“We hope that the new stops will be used more frequently and we are working closely with parish and town councils to make sure this happens.”

DVDs and CDs will no longer be available on the buses.

Comments(1)

Shirley Burnham says...
1:57pm Tue 5 Jul 11

Apologies; this is a perfectly good article that informs -- BUT the euphemism you use in title "Streamlined" is sickening when in truth your mobile service is "Cut". People rely on the Press to say what something is, however distasteful. A skeleton service is a CUT service. Trying to make that sound delightful is doing a disservice to intelligent people.

Report this post »    Register/Log In »

click2find

Most popular