New library van ‘Tammie Stories’ launched

IT HAS been described as a “book Tardis” – and when you step onto Shetland Library’s new van, you can see why.

A total of 2,282 books are crammed onto the new mobile library van, which is around 200 more than the previous one, but it still feels spacious.

An event was held at the library in Lerwick this morning (Friday) to formally launch the new replacement van, which has been named Tammie Stories after a call for suggestions from the public.

The honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon went to Shetland Islands Council’s education and families committee chair Davie Sandison.

While the larger mobile library van offers space for people to browse books, the service also has a smaller delivery vehicle, providing pre-selected books and home deliveries.

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The larger one heads out to communities across Shetland and allows folk to look through a selection of genres, from adult and children fiction to biographies.

It is an important facility for those living in outlying areas and for folk unable to access other library services.

With a mobile library service on the go in Shetland since the 1960s, it is well embedded within the community.

Team leader Catherine Jeromson said the van operates on 12 routes between Unst and Sumburgh on a six-weekly rota.

“Recently we’ve been going to more school stops,” she added.

“We’ve also been trying more static stops, like outside rural shops, where it may be more convenient for folk.

“Other mobile library services across Scotland tend to operate from more rural fixed stops – like outside community centres, leisure centres. Our service is quite unique that we are able to offer a door to door service.”

Jeromson also said the mobile library van can be a “very social” thing for people.

“Sometimes that person may not have seen anybody else that week, so being able to have a chat and speak about the books they’ve read, that impact is huge as well,” she said.

If a book is requested online then the mobile library van can deliver it too.

Last year there were more than 4,600 visits recorded to the library van and the home delivery service.

More than 320 people are currently registered as mobile library users, “but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the only people coming on”.

Leona Smedley, who is one of the drivers, showed Shetland News around the stock on board, which is rotated to keep things fresh.

Some of the more specialist areas include Nordic and tartan noir, as well as larger print books and short stories.

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She also said that biographies happen to be very popular on the van, as are Mills & Boons books.

Smedley said the van goes as far as the most northerly house in Unst, “but we don’t quite cross the landing strip” in Sumburgh yet.

The new library van, which was built by Houston Coachworks Ltd in Northern Ireland, with a chassis provided by NI Trucks, was procured as part of the council’s fleet management rolling upgrade programme.

Jeromson also said it was significant that the new van has been delivered in the national Year of Reading, and said it “shows the commitment of the council for promoting literacy”.

Sandison also said the mobile service helps people “affected by social isolation and support those who are unable to visit their local library”.

“I’m really pleased to see this new van introduced to this valuable service.”

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From left to right: Catherine Jeromson, team leader – reader services, Samantha Flaws, director – children’s services; Leona Smedley – mobile library van driver; councillor Davie Sandison – chair, education and families committee. Photo: SIC

From left to right: Catherine Jeromson, team leader – reader services, Samantha Flaws, director – children’s services; Leona Smedley – mobile library van driver; councillor Davie Sandison – chair, education and families committee. Photo: SIC

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