There might be some life in the old wheels yet

Mobile library service is given a lifeline

25.05.2018 Renfrewshire Leisure bosses are looking again at plans to ditch their mobile library service.

Members at a recent full council meeting voted to pass a motion by Labour councillors Derek Bibby and Carolann Davidson calling for the service to be reinstated.

Councillor Bibby said scrapping the mobile library would affect elderly constituents and those who don’t have access to a computer.

He was delighted a majority of councillors voted in favour of his motion to reinstate the service.

He said: “The provision of a library service in rural areas such as Kilbarchan and Howwood is crucial particularly to those who find it difficult to travel to central libraries in Paisley and Johnstone.

“This was simply a decision based on the need for Renfrewshire Leisure to save money and the withdrawal of the bus was bound to have a major impact on those who use the service.

“I am very disappointed that SNP administration councillors voted against bringing back the Mobile Library effectively abandoning those who use the service.

“I accept that there are other ways for people to access library books and materials but these need to be in the context of more resources, not less which cover the full spectrum of need.”

R e n f r e w s h i re L e i s u r e announced it was dropping the mobile library service from Friday, April 27.

It said there had been a fall in usage of 65 per cent in the last five years from 9,344 to 3,277.

However, following the decision by the full council, Joyce McKellar, the chief executive of Renfrewshire Leisure, said they’d be looking again at the plans.

She said: “Our board and senior management team will consider the motion passed by the council.

“However, nothing changes the fact that unfortunately, the number of customers using the mobile library service has fallen dramatically in recent years and this, coupled with the rising operating costs, means the service no longer offers best value for the people of Renfrewshire.

“We will continue to look at other ways to reach significant groups of people in our communities who are unable to leave their homes to access either a mobile library or a community library.”