Archive for August, 2014

Editorial

Mobile libraries are not having a good time of it at the moment: my records show Bromley’s decision to close it’s sole vehicle is the eighth mobile library gone since April: while only two static libraries have gone the same way.  One of the reasons of course is that it’s one thing to get volunteers to run a static library but a whole other thing for them to maintain a vehicle, find drivers and pay the insurances.  Mind you, of course, perhaps Bromley is missing a trick as there may be money in mobiles: Cambridgeshire certainly hope so as they have started offering advertising on them. That advertising idea is just one of seven I’ve spotted for this post: the large number due to a SCL report on digital skills that includes some interesting case studies.

Changes

• Bromley – Mobile library service (1 of 1) to be closed from September.
• Manchester – Fallowfield Library renamed “The Place” and transferred to  Friends of Fallowfield Library and City South housing association.
• Peterborough – Consultation on library usage, preparatory to reduction to library services budget.

Ideas

• Advertising on back of mobile libraries – Cambridgeshire offer space for £200 per month.
• Digital career days – Gateshead runs them with software and computer hardware companies.
• Photospheres – Such as this one in Essex.
• Promote library online/digital offer in community fairs – Lewisham shows off Oculus Rift etc.
• Publicise heavy users – Suffolk publicise two children, one of which – and eight year old boy – has loaned 1200 books,
• Technocamps –  Neath Port Talbot – The activities enable children aged 7 to 11 to develop their enthusiasm for STEM skills by learning computer coding and creating projects using LEGO’s Mindstorm robots.
• Toy hire – Charge for as many toys as wanted for three weeks.

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