The Council’s Library Home Delivery team has been boosted to better serve people who are unable to get to a library building.
The change is part of improvements to the library’s ‘outreach’ service to the community and there will also be more ‘pop-up’ – or temporary – libraries where members of the public may browse a small selection of books, reserve titles or sign up to home delivery.
The Home Delivery team has been expanded to a three-man team.
Long-term Mobile Library Assistant Sue McKenzie and her customers told of the value of the service. “My customers are marvellous and so appreciative,” said Sue, who explained books included large print and spoken word CDs.
“I love chatting to them so much - the only problem is we’d be chatting all day if I didn’t get going! There is a kind of unofficial role where I’m keeping an eye on people, making sure they’re OK. I’d say Catherine Cookson books are still the number one – but each person can have wildly different tastes.”
Out on the rounds in Redcar we call in to Joan Emmerson.
“It’s like a treat when Sue comes round,” says Mrs Emmerson. “I love reading and I’ve been writing what I think of every book I’ve ever read in a special book my parents gave me when I was a very young woman – they’re all in here!”
Sue’s next visit was to an elderly couple Derick and Jean Cook who, again, are eagerly watching out for Sue’s van to arrive. Mr Cook is full of smiles as Sue approaches.
“I love cowboy books,” he says, “can’t get enough. But we get all kinds. Sue is marvellous and it’s a lovely moment when she comes to us.”
Next up is Hettie Matthews, who discusses the value of the service.
“I just couldn’t go to the library and carry the big, heavy books I need,” she says. “What Sue does is a lifeline for so many people.”
The new community ‘pop-up’ libraries are currently operating from two sites. Brotton Methodist Church the last Thursday of the month (next date June 27) 10am till 12pm and St Hilda’s Church Roseberry the first Tuesday of the month (next date 2 July) 10am till 12pm.
For people to get in touch to book on the service they can send enquiries to the new email health-wellbeing-libraries@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or call 07909 906324.