The golden puns
THE Borrowers, Chitty Chitty Book Book and the Hardbacks of Notre Van are the pun-tastic names chosen by the public to adorn the first three of six new mobile libraries.
The county council’s library service asked Lancashire’s literature lovers to choose their most popular names from a specially compiled shortlist earlier this month.
These vehicles will be based at Ormskirk, Garstang, and Clayton Green.
More than 2,000 votes for the names were received.
The county council’s six-strong mobile library fleet is being totally replaced, with the remaining three vehicles expected to go into action later in the year.
County Cllr Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “People certainly got involved with this, and joined in the fun to choose their favourite – we even received many more name suggestions as well.
“We are grateful for these, and we’ll include some of them in the shortlist when we compile that for names for the other three vehicles.
“I’m hoping that people will spot the new vehicles with their catchy names and smile. Hopefully this will prompt them to step inside and visit.
“We’ve invested over £800k in these new vehicles, which clearly demonstrates our commitment to this service.
“We know how much the mobile library service is valued by our customers, and in the last year alone nearly 113,000 books have been borrowed from our mobile libraries.
“They provide an important facility to some of the most rural parts of Lancashire, giving people the chance to borrow, renew or order books.”
There are six operational mobile libraries which are based at Ormskirk, Heysham, Garstang, Brierfield, Whalley, and Clayton Green.
Between them they make a total of 778 stops in communities around the county.
The mobile libraries carry a wide range of books to suit all tastes with titles changed regularly, and new ones being added frequently.
Books can also be ordered, just the same as in a static library.
A variety of audio books and CDs are also available.
They are fully accessible for people with mobility problems and disabilities.
Each vehicle is fitted with low rise stairs and a passenger lift for easy access so that customers can board to select their own books.
An induction loop system is also available for people with hearing impairments.
New customers are always welcome and you can join simply by going to the vehicle to be signed up.
Anyone who lives in the UK can join a Lancashire library, either online or by visiting in person.
Membership is free and there are no age restrictions.
For more information about voting to name the new mobile library vehicles, visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries.