Mobile Library 2023 CEN 510 Public (1)
We are writing to let you know about the changes that are being made to the mobile library service, following the public consultation last year and the final decisions made by Norfolk County Council Cabinet in January 2023. We are preparing to decommission one mobile library and continue to operate five vehicles, and an electric mini mobile, due for commission later this year. In accordance with the key principles agreed by Members, Norfolk Library and Information Service will cease the majority of stops that happen within 1.5 miles of a branch library.
We will be working with customers to ensure they know what is happening. Anyone that is unable to visit a branch library will be able to contact their local library and request a visit from the Home Library Service (HLS) that we operate in partnership with the Royal Voluntary Services (RVS).
Every route and stop has now been reviewed and whilst we have tried as hard as we can to minimise disruption, it does mean that in a number of cases the day and time which the mobile library visits has had to change. This is to ensure that we make best use of the mobile library resource for as many people and communities that we can.
I am attaching a copy of the new timetables for your Parish. Can we please ask that the changes are placed in you Parish newsletters if you have one.
Customers at all affected stops are being given a copy of the new timetable and the planned introduction date for the revised services is Monday 3rd July. All the new stop and route information will be on our website www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries (available from 30th June 2023).
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Mobile libraries are free to join and are open to people of all ages. Items can be chosen from the vehicle or reserved via the online catalogue for collection from a mobile library. They can be returned to any branch library or mobile library in Norfolk. All mobile libraries are equipped with a lift for people with mobility problems and wheelchair users.
Our mobile libraries offer:
• Fiction books for adults and children (book request: adults – 60p, children – free)
• Non-fiction books for adults and children (subject requests are free)
• Large print books (book request 60p)
• DVDs for adults and children (a small charge applies)
• Audio books on CD and tape (tapes – free, a small charge applies for CDs for adults, children – free)
• Jigsaw puzzles (free)
The mobile library service offers an e-mail reminder system to advise mobile library users that the mobile library will be in their area within the next two days. If you wish to be added to the mailing lists, please ask your mobile library driver for the green e-mail slip to complete or alternatively contact us direct with your name, e-mail address and mobile library route number.
The mobile library service is keen to recruit more ‘Mobile Library Friends’ – volunteers who help us to promote the service by doing any of the following:
• telling their friends/neighbours about the mobile library
• delivering fliers locally
• putting up posters
• suggesting improvements/alternative stops.
If you are interested, please speak to the mobile library driver or contact us direct.
To check the mobile library timetables for your area, please click on the link: www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries-local-history-and-archives/libraries/your-local-library/routes-and-timetables and choose your village from the list.
More information is available on the Norfolk County Council website: www.norfolk.gov.uk (search ‘mobile libraries’), or contact the mobile library office on 01603 222303 or e-mail: [email protected] .
