Cumbria’s re-shaped mobile library service comes into effect during next month (April).
Under the new 'community led' scheme, the county’s six mobile libraries will provide fewer individual stops - enabling them to stay open for longer in places where accessing library services is currently difficult.
The decision to introduce new routes follows a review of the county’s mobile library service, which has seen a 22 per cent drop in lending in recent years.
The changes, agreed by councillors last year (September 2007), have already been successfully trialled on routes in Allerdale, Eden and South Lakeland.
As well as reinvigorating the mobile service, the changes are designed to prevent duplication; currently vans stop in a number of areas already well served by a branch library.
As part of the changes, the library service’s Carlisle urban mobile - which plies most of its trade within an area already served by four static libraries - will be discontinued.
Library users throughout the county who for mobility reasons cannot get to their local branch library will continue to receive a door-to-door delivery and collection service.
All mobile library users have been notified in advance how the new routes will apply in their area.
Councillor Gary Strong, cabinet member responsible for Cumbria’s libraries, said: "These changes will make sure the county’s six mobile libraries are open for longer in communities that don't have easy access to branch libraries.
"At the moment, a number of mobile library stops take place near branch libraries. This duplication is bad for communities without a branch library and bad for council taxpayers who are being effectively asked to pay twice for the same service.
"People who are housebound will continue to receive a home delivery and collection service wherever they live in the county.
"We will continue to monitor the changes after their introduction and will make amendments to individual routes where necessary."
A list of the new mobile library routes due to come into effect during April will be available at http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/libraries/
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Note
A list of new mobile library routes can be viewed by following the link below. Members of the public and journalists with enquiries about specific routes should contact the main libraries in each of the six district areas on the numbers shown.
Click here to view a list of new mobile library routes