Northamptonshire Libraries and Information Service

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Northamptonshire Libraries and Information Service

• Mobile Library Service Review

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The Mobile Library Service

• The mobile library is my lifeline. I read
  avidly and would not be able to afford to buy
  books.
• Our mobile librarian is excellent, he knows his
  customers and advises on choice of books if
  asked.

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Mobile Library Service Review

• The mobile library is a social gathering of
  villagers and long may it continue.
• It's one of my 'life treats' to visit the
  mobile library and I couldn't envisage being
  without this wonderful service."

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Mobile Library Service Review
The mobile library is brilliant for me and my
children as I cant drive. Excellent selection
of childrens books. I do hope the mobile
service will continue, a lot of people in this
village would be bereft without it .

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Mobile Library Service Review

• The staff are kind and helpful, coming to us in
  all weather conditions, providing a wonderful
  service.
• Mobile Library emergency closures 1.44 ( Public
  Library Standard 4.4 or lower).

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The Mobile Library Service Review

• The Mobile Library schedules operate on a
  fortnightly rota to 503 stops to local
  communities.
• Visits 202 residential/day care/sheltered housing
  establishments on a three week rota.
• Operates 9-5 weekdays.

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Mobile Library Service Review
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Why do we need a review?

• The Public Library Information Services Plan
  Position Statement 2004 identified as a priority
  a review of the Mobile Library Service to rural
  communities alongside the service to residential
  homes and sheltered housing.
• Noticeable decline in the use of the present
  mobile service. 31 over the last 5 years.

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Visitors to mobile libraries
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Why do we need a review?

• No comprehensive review since 1993.
• Demographic trends in rural areas.
• Need to apply best practice based on national
  standards.

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Provision based on national standards of best
practice (CILIP).

• Northamptonshire Libraries and Information
  Service will provide a Mobile Service to
  communities more than 1.5miles from a static
  library building and not less than ¼ mile from
  another mobile stop.
• A service will be provided to all communities
  where 3 people use the service consistently.
• The mobile library will stop for at least 15
  minutes.
• Where the mobile library visits Residential Homes
  and Sheltered Housing in urban areas less than
  1.5 miles from a static library the timetable
  will be on a 3 weekly basis.

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The Review Process

• A stop by stop audit to determine the uptake of
  present services.
• An examination of mobile library routes to
  identify lost time due to travel, duplication of
  routes, etc.
• Consultation on the implementation of the
  criteria.
• Marketing to improve public knowledge of the
  service and mobile stops.

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Consultation

• Feedback from users of the service through
  frontline staff.
• Local Parish Town Councils.
• Wardens of residential homes.
• Individual Councillors responsible for Wards
  where changes will arise.

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Outcomes what the Review will achieve

• Maximise the opportunity for people of all ages
  to use the service at times when they are able.
• Concentrate provision in places where use
  visits are highest.
• Continue to offer a service to all parishes
  rural communities where required.
• Continue to provide for residents in residential
  homes sheltered accommodation who require a
  service.

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Outcomes what the Review will achieve

• Reflect demographic/social trends ensuring
  provision is available where people are based
  e.g. out of town industrial estates.
• Incorporate priority deprivation wards which are
  not included at present on Mobile Library routes.
• Reduce travel time, duplication and anomalies
  which have arisen since 1993.
• Maximise use of the vehicle fleet to ensure best
  value for council tax payers.
• Online issue system library catalogue.

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We need your help!

• We welcome your views ideas to help us improve
  services.
• How best to consult 255 parishes on the review?
• Mobile library Champions. Local people to
  promote the service in their community provide
  us with feedback on issues such as the quality of
  the bookstock.

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Thank You