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Warwickshire Library Mobile Library Service.
A review of the Mobile Library Service will be undertaken shortly to ensure that the resources and vehicles are being maximised.
The current criteria for ceasing a mobile stop is where the leve of usage of a stop falls below the minimum of four regular customers. When a stop is removed the customers affected by this change are offered the Rural Home Delivery Service where appropriate. This is a partnership service with Age UK which currently provides direct delivery of books and a befriending service to over 200 rural residents who are unable to access a static library.
We will keep you informed if the mobile service in Stockton is affected by any of the changes. In some instances we may consider new locations in communities currently not served if sufficient regular usage can be guaranteed.
Our ongoing concern about the Mobile Library Service has been the decline in usaeg in rural areas. The Library Service would be delighted to see new customers in rural areas using the service.
Below are the policy criteria we use for stop selection.
If you require further information please contact Janet Everett on 01926413472 or by email janeteverett@warwickshire.gov.uk
Criteria for Mobile Library Stops
The length of stop will be determined by the number of people using the service. The minimum length of stop will be 15 minutes to allow sufficient time for use of the on - board public access internet / email facilities.
Average No of Users Minimum Stop Time
4 – 6 Users 15 minutes
7 – 10 Users 25 minutes
11– 15 Users 30 minutes
Over 15 users 45 minutes + (up to a maximum of one hour
• A minimum stop time of 15 minutes will apply where a stop is the only one in a village.
• Extra time will be allocated at sheltered housing stops for delivery to housebound readers. This will be calculated based on the needs of those users.
Distance between stops
• No mobile stops within 1.5 miles of a static library
• Mobile stops will not normally be within 0.5 miles of each other – (this equates to about 10 minutes walk)
These criteria exclude sheltered and neighbourhood stops in deprived communities.
Exceptions will be made where there are distinct communities where natural barriers exist (busy roads, steep hills etc), where there is limited pedestrian access and in areas identified as having low scores in the index of Multiple Deprivation.
Monitoring and evaluation:
• These criteria will be evaluated after six months and annually thereafter.
• Average visitor numbers for each stop will be reviewed quarterly and stop times adjusted accordingly.
Procedure for withdrawal of stops:
• Where there is no use of the service for 3 consecutive visits or where average customer fall below the minimum required the Mobile and Community Services Manager will be alerted and steps will be taken to promote the stop locally. If this is unsuccessful the service will be withdrawn and the Home Delivery Service will be offered to those individuals who meet the criteria.
Applications for new stops:
• Applications for new stops will be considered only where they indicate the potential to be used regularly by an average of at least four people. The Home Delivery Service may be offered as an alternative if the customer meets the criteria.
• Priority will be given to those places deemed to be areas of greater social deprivation based on the Government figures in force at the time of application.
• Where timetables allow, new stops will come into operation within nine weeks after agreement to provide the service has been reached. This will allow sufficient time for the planning and publication of a new timetable and for other users to be informed of any changes
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