Mobile Library Service Disruption

Published: 01 July 2024

We regret to inform you that the Mobile Library has been taken off the road permanently due to the discovery of a defect with the chassis, which we cannot repair.

Our team are working hard to support residents and are delivering a limited reservation collection and home delivery service for customers in the interim, as per our normal off-road procedures. Residents can also use any North Somerset library (and those in neighbouring authorities) with their existing library cards. For those who can’t get to a branch, a range of library services including eBooks and eAudiobooks are also available free online at www.librarieswest.org.uk. Customers can also contact our friendly mobile library team on 01275 888 864 or mobile.library@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Please be assured that we remain committed to serving our communities: we have recently secured more than £300k for a new electric library outreach vehicle, funded by DCMS and administered by Arts Council England. By investing in this new vehicle, we hope to reach more groups and communities as well as reducing emissions and fuel costs. Unfortunately, these types of vehicles are bespoke and take time to build and deliver: the tender for supply of the vehicle is due to be published in early July, and we hope that it will be on the road towards the end of next year.

In the meantime, we’re exploring a range of alternative options that we can deliver in the medium term within our existing resources. Our plans will prioritise our most vulnerable customers, and we’ll also make sure that the council’s statutory service duties are met. A member of the team will be in touch with you soon, to discuss community needs and possible options.

We will be offering the Summer Reading Challenge at some locations, and there will be more information about this soon.

If you have any questions, please contact Library.OperationsManagers@n-somserset.gov.uk

Thank you for your support.

Kind regards,

North Somerset Libraries