Campaign for a Third Mobile Library Underway

12.10.05am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd Aug 2005

The Conservatives were challenged by Lib Dem Councillors to add a third mobile library to the West Berkshire library service. The Lib Dems have proposed funding the third mobile from the successful claim from the windfall money from the Newbury Library roof. A full time third mobile library would be able to operate full time and serve the whole of West Berkshire, including Wash Common.

Shadow Executive Member for Libraries, Cllr Roger Hunneman (Lib Dem, Newbury Victoria) said:

"Liberal Democrats want service improvements to benefit the whole of West Berkshire and the benefits to be full time, not just for 15 hours a week. My research shows the mobile service to be popular in Wash Common and a third mobile could help deliver an even better library service in South Newbury as well as a service to the communities in towns and villages across rural West Berkshire."

The two Mobile Libraries currently call at over 200 stops across West Berkshire. They help to deliver the library service to those who have no means of regularly accessing a library and also bring the service out into the villages and to residents on the edge of towns.

Opposition Leader Cllr Jeff Brooks commented "In power we delivered real improvements to the library service such as the popular central library in Newbury, now celebrating its fifth birthday. Liberal Democrats now challenge the Conservatives to support a third mobile. They know it would greatly improve the Council's reach out to the rural communities as well as communities on the edges of Newbury such as Wash Common. We challenge them to adopt our value for money solution."

Local Councillor for Falkland ward Caroline Suggett said "I was amazed by the failure of the Conservatives to properly consult me on what ward residents want before publishing their half baked proposals. I have seen for myself the success of the mobile library service in Wash Common and the only complaint I have had is that it does not stop here for long enough. Mobile library services are more flexible and I have already asked the Council to consider additional stopping places in south Newbury so more people in Falkland ward can benefit. A third mobile really would help them to be able to deliver improved service, not just for Falkland ward but also for the whole of rural West Berkshire."