July 28th 2023
100% electric mobile library in Cheshire West
This week, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s launched its new fully accessible electric mobile library. The vehicle’s in-built tech includes a hearing loop, lift, solar panels and LED lighting, with Wi-Fi and digital access for those using the service.
The new vehicle boasts a wide range of stock including adult and children’s books as well as audiobooks. It also provides access to the library management system, so that users of the service can borrow books from across the library service and make reservations, as well as update their library accounts.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Well-being, with staff from the council’s library service and the new electric mobile library vehicle, photo courtesy of Cheshire West and Chester Council
Cllr Louise Gittins, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Well-being, says: ‘We believe our new mobile library is the first electric mobile library in the country and will contribute to the council’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. It looks wonderful with its new livery and I’m sure it will attract attention on its routes around the borough.
‘Some mobile library stops will also be enhanced with events and activities delivered by the library service and with partners.’
Staff of the mobile library can offer a council enquiry service and access council information online. Those signed up to the library service will have free access to a wide range of online resources, including eBooks, via the library website. The council shared a video of the new electric mobile library on YouTube:
Non-tech improvements include an awning that will be useful for summer outreach activities.
The mobile library service had been redesigned and reshaped to meet residents’ needs now and in future. This follows feedback received from a public consultation conducted in autumn 2022.
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