Plans to cut mobile library numbers
Devon County council has announced plans to cut the cost of its mobile library service
Under the changes, 65 of the most under-used mobile library stops will be removed from routes from April onwards.
Users of the remaining 454 stops will see the frequency of visits change from fortnightly to monthly.
Whle some people will have the opportunity to receive books and spoken-word items delivered to their homes instead.
The new service will require fewer library vehicles which the Council says will save up to £125,000 a year leaving the mobile libary service more sustainable for the future.
Consultation about the proposals before Christmas drew 1,585 responses from mobile library users.
Only a small number, 62 responses, referred to the 69 under-used stops proposed for withdrawal on the grounds that just three or fewer people regularly visit them.
Having heard the responses, the Council has decided to reinstate four of those 'at risk' stops, reducing the total number of stops to withdraw from the service to 65.
Of the 62 responses, 70 per cent said they will continue to use the library service in other ways - either using other mobile stops; their nearest static library; or the Home Library Service.
The majority also said that they would continue to use the service on the new four weekly basis.
A number also asked about the Council's Home Delivery Service, which is provided by the Royal Voluntary Service.
Under that scheme, anyone unable to use a static or mobile library because of illness or due to advanced age or disability, can receive books and spoken word items at home.
"When we reviewed the mobile library service three years ago, we introduced a criteria to ensure stops were well used," says Cllr Roger Croad, the Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for the library service.
"A small number of stops have over time become significantly under-used, and the service costs significantly more per customer compared to our static libraries.
"I would like to thank all those who responded to the consultation. I'm pleased that with their comments, we've decided to keep four of the stops that we'd previously proposed for withdrawal.
"And I'm also pleased that most people by far have said they'll continue to use our library services.
"These changes will come into affect from April, with new timetables published in February."
The stops previously proposed for withdrawal, but will now remain part of the service, are: Capton, Holcombe Rogus, Tween Moors Cross and Zeal Monachorum.
The 65 stops that will be withdrawn from the service from April, due to them having three or fewer regular customers are:
Ashbury Station
Ashmansworthy
Ashreigney, Beech Lea
Barnstaple, Greenbank Road
Barnstaple, Woodland Road
Bolberry
Bondleigh, Bridge
Bradford Rectory
Buckland Brewer School
California Cross
Chapelton, Fishleigh Cottages
Cheldon Church
Chilsworthy, Stone Heap
Clayhanger Church
Coleford, Crossroads
Cotleigh, Village Hall
Crazelowman Post Box
Culmstock School
Dalwood, Church
Dornaford Hamlet
Drayford Cross
East Anstey School
East Knowstone, The Smiths House
East Worlington, Village Hall
Exeter Alphington, Chantry Meadow
Exmouth, Brixington
Folly Gate, New Road
Gidleigh, Little Ensworthy
Gunn, Post Box
Halwell, Old Inn
Harberton, Bus stop
Harracott, Crossroads
Haytown
Heybrook Bay
Higher Chie?owman
Horns Cross Bus stop
Landscove, Woolston Green
Liftondown, Telephone box
Longdown Bus stop
Loxbeare Church
Manaton, Kestor Inn
Marsh, Flintlock Inn
Molland, Wade Mill
Morchard Bishop, War Memorial
Murchington
Newton St Petrock Down Moor
North Molton Hill
Ponsworthy, The Splash
Poughill, Green Hill
Rawridge Otter?eld
Rose Ash
Rubbytown
Shobrooke, School Close
Stone Moor Cross, Sheepacre
Tipton St John, Village Store
Totnes, Mansbridge Road
Totnes, Kings Orchard
Uffculme Markers
Upottery, Moonstones
Westcott, Little Cleeves
West Putford, School
Whitestone Merrymeet
Yeoford, Mare and Foal Hotel
Yeoford, Yeo View
Yondertown
