Following the recent public consultation, I am writing to let you know that Buckinghamshire County Council decided on 20th April 2018 to end the Mobile Library service, with the final visits being due on 31st May 2018. Details of the decision can be found at: https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=7999
Over the past week we have emailed mobile library customers to inform them of the cessation of the service and also to give information about alternative ways to continue to access library services. We are posting letters this week to those customers without email.
If you are able to help inform your residents and signpost people to the further information given in the Appendix below it would be appreciated. Should you have residents who may be interested in becoming Home Library Service volunteers they can apply online using the link at the bottom of this page https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/libraries/community/home-library-service/ .
I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise for the inconvenience caused to your residents on the many occasions recently where we been unable to visit due to vehicle breakdowns or driver sickness. We have extended outstanding loans to avoid anyone incurring overdue charges as a result and we will also extend any mobile loans still outstanding at the end of this month for a further two weeks to allow people time to make decisions about future library use.
If you have any queries please get in touch with us at library@buckscc.gov.uk.
Kind regards
David Jones
David Jones
Head of Community Focus
Buckinghamshire County Council
Appendix
Copy of email to mobile library customers:
Following the Council’s recent decision to end the mobile library service with effect from May 31st 2018 I am writing to you as a mobile library user to let you know of alternative ways to continue accessing our services.
If you are able to travel we have 30 library buildings in Buckinghamshire and their locations and opening times can be found here. https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/libraries/find-a-library/all-libraries/ . These also offer a range of regular free or low cost events for all ages, which may be of interest.
You may also use your Buckinghamshire library card to borrow from some neighbouring library services, including Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes and Slough amongst others. Find out more about these here https://selms.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/OPAC/selms-faq
Should you have access to the internet you may wish to try out our eLibrary to download an eBook, eAudiobook or eMagazine. These are all free services and there are no fines to worry about. Full details are here https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/libraries/elibrary/
If you are unable to travel to a library due to age, illness or disability you may wish to request the Home Library Service. We will match you with a named volunteer who will bring you the books you want to read every month, at a mutually convenient time, and take back your previous loans. This service gives you a longer loan period, free reservations and no fines. https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/libraries/community/home-library-service/
Maybe you have a relative, friend or neighbour who regularly visits the library and is willing to pick up books on your behalf. By formalising this person as a ‘Library Buddy’ you would get a longer loan period, free book and audiobook reservations and loans and no fines on books or audiobooks.
https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/libraries/community/home-library-service/library-buddy-service/
As I am sure you are aware there have been many occasions over the past weeks where we have let customers down either because of vehicle break downs or driver sickness so I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to you personally for any inconvenience this has caused you.
I am keen to ensure that everyone will be able to access library services in future so over the next few weeks we plan to have extra staff on board the mobile libraries to explain these options in person and to help customers to find the most suitable alternative.