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Image: Hillingdon Library Services
Hillingdon’s run-down mobile library service is in for a facelift this year.
Hillingdon Council have unveiled a £100,000 investment in a brand-new mobile library, set to replace its decade-old predecessor.
The project is part of a multi-million drive to improve Hillingdon’s cultural offerings, along with a new museum and theatre being built in St Andrew’s Park in Uxbridge. These investments will, in Cllr Jonathan Bianco’s words, serve as a “beacon of the Council’s commitment to the arts”.
The borough’s mobile services have been out of commission due to mechanical problems since late February, but the old van has been giving librarians grief for much longer than that. According to John Taylor from Uxbridge Library Services, the vehicle first failed its MOT inspection well over a year ago.
“We’ve had problems with brakes and flat batteries. I’ve had to come in early in the morning before my shift to jump-start the car, and that just isn’t sustainable”, Taylor said.
In theory, the mobile library is meant to service the borough’s schools, nurseries and care homes alongside its normal roadside operation, but these small faults have made the service’s day-to-day operation difficult. Anny Ho from Library Services explained that while the old vehicle was originally custom-built for the purpose, several improvements could be made to provide better service.
“One of our most important goals is to be able to provide a stable Wi-Fi connection for all visitors. In the future, we would like for people to be able to use the mobile library like any other library”, Ho said.
The timescale for the new mobile library project has yet to be set, and in the meantime, Uxbridge Library are hoping to get the current vehicle back in working order soon.
“We’re not quite there yet, but it’s clear that the Council want to make sure we can serve the community as best we can”, Ho said.
“We see around 600-800 people every month. For people who cannot physically get to the library, the mobile service makes a huge difference in their lives – old or young”, Taylor added.
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