Changes to mobile library service
Solihull Council’s mobile library service will be changing from the beginning of April as it enters into a partnership with Warwickshire Library and Information Service.
From Monday 11 April the mobile library service (MLS) provided by Warwickshire County Council will replace a set of routes for those currently provided. The new partnership means that the overall service can be improved whilst saving money for both councils. It will also mean that the current route and timetable will change as underused stops will be removed.
The revised schedule of stops and routes is available on Solihull Council’s website at: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/libraries/mobilelibrary.htm or by calling Warwickshire County Council on 01926 851031.
The change to the service has been prompted as the lease on the current Solihull mobile library vehicle comes to an end on 31 March, providing the opportunity for the improved service in partnership with Warwickshire County Council.
Solihull will then have a more modern and accessible vehicle with public access to free online library services and the internet with several adaptations to the vehicles providing access for people with disabilities. Items available on the mobile libraries will be refreshed every three weeks depending on Solihull’s stock.
The target audience for the service will be older people, under-fives and their parents and carers, rural workers, those working from home or job seekers. Each mobile library will visit a mix of rural locations and sheltered housing over a three week cycle, stopping for an average of 30 minutes.
The new joint service will save a total of around £100,000 for the two councils. No jobs will be lost as part of the change, as the Solihull mobile and home library service staff will be re-deployed into other Solihull library services.
Current users have been written to about the changes and offered advice about alternative services such as their nearest local library and the Home Library Service, which provides home visits to residents who are unable to visit their local library. Stops for the service will be reviewed on an ongoing basis with the involvement of ward councillors and parish clerks.
Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for customers, workforce and partnerships, Cllr Colin Hayfield, said: “Warwickshire County Council is looking at all of its services for ways of working more efficiently in order to make its resources go further.
“Providing a mobile library service to Solihull benefits the residents of the county and Solihull alike. It is an excellent example of how we have examined ways, in this case a partnership with another local authority, to enable us to continue to provide a quality service.”
Cabinet Member for Community Services at Solihull MBC, Councillor Graham Craig said: “We have had to make some tough financial decisions recently and I am pleased that we have been able to keep a free mobile library service running for our residents. Although this new partnership will mean changes for many of our existing users, it also means that we are able to provide better and more modern facilities and run the service more efficiently by avoiding duplication of mobile stops across the geographic areas of both authorities.
“The new routes will be regularly reviewed by Warwickshire’s library service in conjunction with us and we will listen to feedback from residents about the changes.”