The Riverina Regional Library’s mobile library has a fresh new look. Photo: Riverina Regional Library.
Riverina Regional Library’s (RRL) iconic mobile library will be sporting a fresh new look, with a new library trailer replacing the existing readers’ rig.
The mobile library will be launched on Friday 3 October at 9:30 am at Ardlethan Recreational Park, and next Tuesday (7 October) at Lockhart Shire Council, featuring more options in their collection and an emphasis on accessibility.
Since the regional library started in 1978, it has had four other mobile library trailers. The fifth one set to launch later this week carries the latest books, DVDs, audiobooks and other resources.
The mobile library travels about 60,000 km a year and visits 18 rural and remote communities (weekly, fortnightly or monthly), which covers Bland, Coolamon, Federation, Lockhart, Snowy Valleys and Temora.
RRL Project Manager Zac Armistead said there were currently around 1000 registered and active members, with about 8000 visits during the past financial year.
“Obviously a lot of the places that it goes to are quite small,” he said.
“The mobile library is their only library service in many of those small towns.”
A lot of the places the mobile library services are small and do not have a physical library. Photo: Riverina Regional Library.
RRL Manager Karen Wendt said the new mobile library was a “far cry” from the “basic but functional” design of 47 years ago.
“The new trailer features a flexible interior floor plan with a large extendable pod to maximise floor space and cater for the changing demands of library users,” she said.
“There is also an emphasis on accessibility, with a flat floor design and separate disabled access entrance.”
The mobile library replacement was funded through $500,000 from the State Library of NSW Public Library Infrastructure Grant Program, with the aim to provide rural and remote communities access to library services found in other library branches.
Mr Armistead said the new mobile library was designed with accessibility in mind.
“We wanted to provide a fresh but familiar space that has the capacity to cater for changing usage patterns over its anticipated lifespan,” he said.
“Flexibility and accessibility were driving forces behind our design choices.
“While we can’t perfectly predict how library services may change in the coming years, the new mobile library has certainly been designed with the future in mind.”
The new mobile library will offer a wide range of services, including:
- A diverse and current collection of books catering to different ages and interests
- Digital resources such as e-books and audiobooks
- Educational programs and workshops
- Internet access and computers
- RRL mobile library staff that will assist with research and other information.
Riverina Regional Library will launch its new mobile library at 9:30 am on Friday (3 October) at Ardlethan Recreational Park, and at 9:30 am on Tuesday (7 October) at Lockhart Shire Council.
The full mobile library schedule can be found at the RRL timetable and service page.
