Mobile solution is new chapter for library service to Worcester estate (From Worcester News)

Mobile solution is new chapter for library service to Worcester estate

12:40pm Monday 14th January 2013 in News By Sarah Davies

LIBRARY services will be coming to a Worcester estate in what is believed to be a first.

The county’s mobile library will visit Dines Green once every three weeks following a campaign by county councillor Richard Udall and demand from residents.

The service usually covers more rural parts of the county. However, Worcestershire County Council said it was happy to include the estate on its route.

Its next stop will be outside the Green Centre in Gresham Road on Friday, January 25, from 10am to 10.20am.

Coun Udall said he believed the mobile library would prove popular among residents and would help to tackle literacy issues.

He said: “For too long Dines Green has missed out on having a visit from the mobile library. Now, residents who struggle to get into St John’s or to the Hive will be able to take advantage of the service.

“I believe it will help young children to read their first books, it will help adults with literacy issues and with lifelong learning, and will also allow residents to just enjoy a good book.

“This is great news for Dines Green. It’s a shame it will be only for 20 minutes at a time, but it is a start. I am confident that Dines Green people will use it and the demand will be high.” Nicki Hitchcock, Worcestershire County Council’s partnership and inclusion manager, said she expected Dines Green to be a permanent stopping place for the mobile library.

She said: “The mobile library service provided by Worcestershire County Council generally covers rural areas and those that are more than a certain distance from a branch library.

“However as the service is customer-driven, we are happy to include Dines Green on our mobile library routes in response to customer demand and following a request from a county councillor.

“We anticipate this will be permanent, although all mobile library stops are reviewed periodically to ensure that the mobile library service continues to meet customer requirements.

“We will be engaging with the community to promote the new stop at Green Centre and in addition the mobile library will visit the Green Centre at other times during community events to further raise awareness and provide extra opportunities for residents to use their mobile library service.”