A new chapter has begun in the history of the Department of Education’s Mobile Library Service.
A new Mini Mobile is now operating alongside the established Mobile Library, giving the service greater access to housebound customers and those in residential homes, which are inaccessible to the larger vehicle.
The regular library, purpose built to 28 feet (8.48 metres) on a Mercedes chassis, covers 10 routes all over the Island, visiting each location fortnightly, and is a year-round lifeline to hundreds of customers who can’t visit public libraries.
Sandra Henderson, Librarian-in-charge, explained that the new, smaller vehicle would greatly improve the service offered to the public.
She said, "There are some areas, such as drives and narrow lanes, which the large library cannot reach, so we have been aware for some time that another, smaller vehicle was desirable.
"For the past three years, we have been sharing the Youth on the Move van with the Youth Service.
"Unfortunately this was not quite the right vehicle for the Mobile Library Service as there was no shelving and it served only as a delivery van."
"Mobile Library driver Fred Moffatt researched a suitable vehicle and the staff of the Mobile Library Service discussed how it should be fitted out," Sandra explained.
"It was then purchased and taken to Bailey’s Body Builders, where it was painted in the same green and orange livery as the Mobile Library and had the interior fitted out with shelving, a counter and kinderboxes for the junior picture books and adult oversize books.
"Although only just taking to the roads, it has already had a very good reception from customers, who have commented that it is truly a Mini Mobile, offering all the resources of the Mobile Library and allowing access to choose books without standing outside.
"It will also be used by the Mobile Library Service’s Schools’ Librarian."
The mini Mobile went into service shortly after Sandra Henderson, Librarian-in-charge, and Cathy Clucas, Assistant Librarian for the Housebound Service, collected it from the supplier, Wade’s Truck Services in Ballasalla.
The Iveco van has the advantage that its driver does not need to hold a heavy goods vehicle licence, so when the regular library couldn’t take to the roads for two days due to driver illness, the Department was able to maintain its service to rural customers.
Graham Cregeen MHK, member of the Department of Education responsible for the Youth and Community Division, said, "Due to careful budgeting, sufficient funds were found to purchase an Iveco van large enough to be fitted out as a Mini Mobile library.
"The current Mobile Library already brings the joy of reading to hundreds of people Island-wide and the acquisition of this new Mini Mobile will enable us to reach parts the other Library has been unable to reach."
Pictured: Graham Cregeen and Sandra Henderson with the new Mini Mobile.
