 | Mobile Libraries FAQs
bringing the library to your door
We've introduced new routes, new stock and new vehicles for 2008. Here's a few of your questions answered. |
1. Why has the mobile library vehicle design changed?
For many years there have been two separate mobile library services in Warwickshire. One to rural villages and another to sheltered communities for older people. Each service has a different vehicle design. Now that the library service is joining the two services together we only need one vehicle design. The new vehicle is a modern mobile library combining flexibility to provide services to a range of communities, takes account of improved access requirements, environmental concerns over fuel used and the impact on roads in rural areas of the county.
2. I understand that the service will only visit my village every three weeks instead of every two that I am used to now. Why has this changed?
There are a number of reasons why this has changed. Firstly, by combining the service to sheltered communities, which are only being visited every four weeks, with our rural service and by taking the opportunity to visit more locations in the county there has been a requirement to extend the loan period across the board to three weeks. Secondly, we have been asked by customers of the mobile library service to provide more information, for instance what they have on loan. This can only be managed through a new issuing system on the mobile library. Mobile libraries will be using the same system in operation in branch libraries and the same loan period, three weeks.
3. Why has my stop time and day changed?
One of the main reasons why your stop time has changed is that by accommodating the three weeks loan period all route timings will be completely different. The other reasons for the change is that by incorporating the rural service with our service to sheltered communities, which has a four week loan period, and by adding in new villages, neighbourhoods and sheltered stops we have had to develop a new set of routes for each mobile library.
4. Why use valuable space on the mobile library for a computer for public use?
Mobile library services across the UK have had to move with the times and most now provide access to computers for public use. It is an expectation by elected members and the government that mobile library customers have access to electronic information through the Internet as you would if you visited a branch library. We understand that use may be limited at first, particularly at short stops, but we hope that this will grow over time.
5. There used to be more books on my mobile library. How is this a better service?
By reducing the weight of the mobile library to give the service greater flexibility the knock on affect has been that we cannot carry the large stock of books that we have in the past. It is important to note however that many of the books in certain categories of stock on our current fleet are not well used. We feel that through better targeting of stock and improved rotation through the five mobile libraries and the new service Depot you will experience an enhanced level of service.
6. You don’t appear to have many books for children aged five and above. How can I get books for my older children through the mobile service?
We have noted over the years that the majority of our mobile library customers fall within two age ranges. On the one hand children who are under five and those 30 and upwards, but mainly in the higher age range of 60 and over. This is due in part to most mobile library services being available between 9.00 and 17.00. The consequence of this is that we have focussed on improving our children’s service to the under fives by providing a better range of board books and some graded readers. We are more than happy, however, to make up collections of appropriate books for your children and these can be collected on the next mobile library visit. You can arrange this by either visiting the mobile library or by phoning the Mobile Library Depot on 01926 815031. We will of course seek to provide appropriate children’s books during school holidays
7. I seem to be getting overdue notices for books that I have had out on loan. Is this a change in policy for mobile library customers?
Mobile library customers have always been subject to the same rules for overdue books as branch library customers only that the charge is based on a two weekly rate rather than a daily rate in branch. As mobile libraries will be for the first time linked to the new library management system notices will be issued automatically. For those with concessionary tickets there will be no fines or charges. It is important to note that everyone should remember to renew library books and this can be carried out in various ways. On the mobile library, on the phone, by post or on-line. A bookmark and leaflet will be issued in the next few weeks with this information. If you require assistance or have an overdue query please phone the Mobile Depot on 01926 851031
8. You don’t seem to have any videos, DVD’s or music on your mobile libraries. If I wanted to borrow items such as these how would I do this?
Multimedia items such as the above can be requested from your mobile library and with access to the library catalogue for the first time this can be a simple process
9. Over the years I have been visiting the mobile library service I have noticed that from time to time the mobile does not arrive at my stop. How will the new service provide me with a regular and better service?
Vehicle based services are subject to a certain amount of off road time and this can be due to servicing arrangements, mechanical faults and driver sickness. Over the last two years our current fleet of vehicles have been subject to a great deal of time off the road due to faults and we apologise for this. To improve on our off the road performance we have looked for a vehicle for the new service that can be easily maintained therefore ensuring a quick turn round when at the garage.
10. I do not appear to have a mobile stop in my village. How do I go about getting one?
As part of the work carried out by the library service on routes, stops and communities all settlements have been reviewed for the purposes of providing a mobile library service. In most cases we have been able to accommodate new locations in the service schedule but there were a few locations, which due to either parking or other difficulties were not selected. Should you live in a community not served by the mobile library service after the 2nd of January 2008 please get in touch with Janet Everett on 01926 476625 and we will see what we can do.
11. What if I needed to contact the mobile library service how would I do this?
There are a number of ways in which you can contact the mobile library service. The simplest way is to phone the Depot on 01926 851031where support staff for the mobile library service are there to help you with your enquiry.
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