New mobile libraries worth £332k to be deployed across north and west to replace temporary service
Highland Council and High Life Highland have announced the purchase of two new mobile libraries, with the vehicles now preparing to hit the road this summer.
A crucial part of community life throughout the Highlands, the provision of mobile libraries across the north had become difficult for some time due to the council’s aging fleet of vans.
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Highland Council and High Life Highland work in collaboration to provide the mobile library service with the council providing and maintaining the vehicles and High Life Highland operating the service.
The local authority has spent £332,000 on purchasing two new vehicles – including conversion works and signwriting, etc – which will be deployed in the north and west, replacing a temporary delivery service which has been in operation across rural communities in Ross-shire, Caithness and Sutherland.
The chassis are due to be delivered from IVECO next month and will then be fitted out at Cebotec in Falkirk before going operational in the summer.
High Life Highland Chief Executive Steve Walsh said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to share this news with all those communities who rely on the mobile library service.
“The purchase of new vehicles by The Highland Council means that a proper service will be reinstated to all our customers this summer.
“This is brilliant news for the communities who have waited patiently for so long and we thank them for their understanding during this period.
“Given the financial challenges facing local authorities and some of the proposals with regards to library closures elsewhere in the country I hope that our customers in these communities will be reassured that Highland Council and High Life Highland are committed to investing in and future proofing the service.”
Education Committee chair for the council, Cllr John Finlayson said: “A £332,000 Investment by Highland Council has been made to secure two new mobile library vehicles.
“Highland Council in partnership with High Life Highland remain committed to offering communities this vital library service, and we thank all those that work to ensure they can resume visiting communities as soon as possible.”
