Rural communities 'left in dark' over new mobile library service
CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed the relaunch of the county's library service this week.
But they stressed they had been left in the dark over the changes made by Gloucestershire County Council.
The service now makes 56 stops across the county, each receiving four weekly visits.
But just two years ago the entire service was on the brink of being axed.
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Campaigners from Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries welcomed the reprieve, despite their fears.
Johanna Anderson, from the Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries, said: "We have grave concerns about the new service and the failure to inform users of the changes before it withdrew the old service.
"But we are pleased that the county council has not pursued its former plans to axe the mobile library service, which was ruled as unlawful by a High Court judge in November 2011."
But the council insisted the new service was "comprehensive and flexible".
Council leader Councillor Mark Hawthorne said: "With our network of static libraries, virtual library and the mobile service, we feel that we have a comprehensive and flexible package of services for everyone.
"Libraries are often seen as the front door to other council services and those of our partner agencies in Gloucestershire, and this important function should not be forgotten.
"The value of these mobile libraries has already been made clear to us – it's great to see such positive feedback from residents."
The council ran a consultation exercise to get the views of the mobile library's users.
It said that in some cases where customers would be unable to use the nearest new mobile stop or static library, arrangements have been made to provide them with suitable alternatives.
These include a housebound service, transport to a library club or help to use the 'virtual library'.
Council officers hoped that library users would start to make the switch to electronic books. In a bid to encourage people to make the move from paper to electronic books, or e-books as they are known, it is hosting a competition next month for mobile library users.
One mobile customer who has visited one of the new mobile stops since the service started on December 11 will win a Google Nexus tablet, which can be used to download electronic books or electronic audio books.
5 Comments
by Iclark1
Friday, February 01 2013, 12:46PM
“Great work as always by the Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries. Thank God someone in Gloucestershire is holding the council to account for their actions. I hope the people of Gloucestershire remember their council leader's actions come election time.
One wonders why he gets such a favourable press from the local media...”
by johannaanders
Friday, February 01 2013, 10:18AM
“Dear Glos News,
Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries could get some pics for you of children who can no longer access libraries, mobile or static, because of Cllr Hawthorne and his administration. Perhaps he could go read to them?
How nice to see what Jo Hand actually looks like. Over two years of trying to engage with GCC and senior library staff and we have never actually seen her because politicians in the cabinet and senior library staff refused to attend any of our public meetings. That is not listening to people is it? It is also not an example of good practice for engaging service users.”
by billy25
Friday, February 01 2013, 9:55AM
“someone pass me a vomit bucket.
Indeed, there must be an election coming up...but really, how stupid does Hawthorne think people are?
He tried to slash libraries by 43%. He tried to axe the mobile service entirely. He was not able to do so because it was illegal, not because he suddenly listened to residents and learnt the importance of libraries.
He ignored a 16,000 strong petition asking him to reconsider. He ignored advice that he was breaking the law.
Friends of Glos Libraries are right
"Had he taken the time to listen to people, he might have seen the "importance" of our libraries more than two years ago, before leading the county into a court case that has so far cost the tax payer £238,000,"
For some balance http://tinyurl.com/bxt429k
Politicians have a bad reputation and he is a prime example of the reasons why.
It is so disappointing to see the local press doing such a poor job of holding him and his administration to account.”
by billy25
Friday, February 01 2013, 9:43AM
“Dear News Editor, did his girlfriend chose his suit? oh.”
by FreeRadical1
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 5:38PM
“So, Mark Hawthorne, the man who tried to get rid of the mobile library service in Gloucestershire, is now...promoting the mobile library service in Gloucestershire. There are county council elections coming up in about three months' time.”