New mobile library hub rolled out across Worcestershire to help keep library services accessible
The county council's officially launched its new electric mobile library hub
A scheme helping those across Worcestershire who struggle to access libraries and their services has introduced a new vehicle which will keep its support in place.
Worcestershire County Council has already been running its mobile library but has now rolled out a modern electric mobile library hub as well.
It's set to visit the likes of community centres, schools and care homes, with the authority confirming there's already plans in place to go to neighbourhoods such as Matchborough, Westlands and The Walshes.
At its official launch event at the Arrow Valley Country Park in Redditch, councillor Josh Robinson, who's the county council's cabinet member for environment and communities which is responsible for libraries, said it was a "great asset" to the area.
He said: "As I've been clear, we're committed to keeping our libraries open across Worcestershire.
"Worcestershire’s a nice rural area and this is an asset that's able to get out to those hard to reach communities out there.
"There's also public health priorities to be able to get there and ensure that everyone can make use of our library service."
The hub will aim to help families support their children's reading and early learning, while also working with organisations across the county to help people access support with their health, wellbeing and everyday needs.
Faye, who is its outreach driver and librarian, said she was looking forward to getting out and about in it.
"One of the most lovely things about being involved in this is being part of something that is expanding library services across the county, that’s really exciting, and we've had such a positive response to that," she said.
"Some of the communities that we'll be visiting do find it difficult to access the library for various reasons so bringing books to them is very important.
"It also means that we can signpost other ways that people can access their reading."
The creation of the new vehicle has been funded through more than £300,000 from Arts Council England's Libraries Improvement Fund.