The Bookbus is a mobile library service dedicated to older people and people
with disabilities.
The service was launched in 1997 to visit residential
homes, day care centres and sheltered housing schemes throughout County
Durham.
Since a new �100,000 vehicle was introduced in June 1999, more people
are able to enjoy modern library facilities.
Currently, we visit 57 homes,
centres and schemes on a three week rota, with more waiting to be added as
places become available.
(( The
Bookbus ))
We designed the new Bookbus around the needs of people who use the service
and it is based on an easy access bus chassis.
The low floor makes it ideal for
people with mobility problems, but it also lowers hydraulically to kerb height
at the flick of a switch, making it accessible for wheelchair users.
The
facilities on board have also been improved: along with books and audio tapes
for loan, we offer greetings cards, local history publications and gifts for
sale, photocopying facilities and a video player showing information films.
(( Inside
the Bookbus ))
Towards the end of 2000 we organised an author event at General Boucher Court
which is visited by the Bookbus.
The event was part of a countywide programme
of Murder Squad activities.
It gave residents the chance to meet authors
Stuart Pawson and Margaret Murphy who read extracts from their works and
answered questions varying from how did they think of character names to how
much they were paid for each novel! The event was such a success that we are
hoping to do more in the future.
(( Original
Durham County mobile library ))
One of Durham's original mobile libraries - we've come a long way since then
but are still as proud of the service!
For more information on the Bookbus, please contact Denise Tyerman on 0191 383
4224 or email:
Library Housebound Service
.