Wollongong City Council is promoting a range of options to help more people enjoy local libraries following a decision to take the ageing Mobile Library off the road next month.
Manager of Community, Cultural and Library Services, Jenny Thompson, said use of the Mobile library has gone down significantly over the past few years.
“Improvements to library branches and the introduction of new technology mean customers now expect more from their library than just books. More transport options also mean libraries are easier to access, which was tested this year when the Mobile Library was out of action for most of 2010 due to a number of mechanical failures,” she said.
“The Mobile Library has a number of mechanical issues, and even if fixed, can no longer provide an adequate service to library members.”
“The size of the Mobile Library means stock is extremely limited. There’s also no technology on board, so customers can’t access the internet and our staff can’t connect to the wider library catalogue,” Jenny Thompson said.
“The Mobile Library no longer meets updated Australian Standards, and is very difficult for people with impaired mobility to access.”
Council is promoting a range of options for people to access the city’s 7 branch libraries, from Helensburgh to Windang.
• Residents will find they are no more than 15 kilometres away from one of our 7 libraries, accessible by public transport or car.
• If public transport is not an option, older people and people with a disability can apply to access our Community Transport Services, subject to eligibility. Eligible customers can either take advantage of volunteer driven buses, or obtain monthly taxi vouchers.
• Council offers bulk loans to aged care facilities in Wollongong.
• Council runs a monthly door to door service for people who are temporarily or permanently housebound and cannot visit a branch library.
• For those people who love coming to the library but can’t carry their books home, we offer a monthly home delivery service.
• Council is exploring technology to introduce e-books, which would allow library users to download books on their home computers or i-pads.
“The Mobile Library has been off the road for the past 10 months, and is currently parked in Warrawong to provide a temporary service to residents as they await the opening of the new Warrawong Library on 29 November 2010,” Ms Thompson said.
“It will be sad to see the Mobile Library come off the road, however we have given our options a lot of thought, and this is the only real solution. We will be working very closely with past customers about other ways to access to library,” she added.