BookBus replacement consultation

Overview

The Leicester library service operates two mobile library vehicles for children that are known as the BookBus. The early years' BookBus (0-5 years) visits early years’ settings such as children, young people and family centres, nurseries and playgroups by appointment. The children’s BookBus (0-11 years) provides a book loan service to areas around the city to give easy access to books and develop a passion for reading in children. (It has a weekly fixed route which can be viewed in the attachment titled Appendix A.)

These two BookBus vehicles are now over 12 years old and we need to replace them and refresh the service we provide. 

Why your views matter

Access to books and library services is vitally important to ensure all Leicester families have the opportunity to enjoy reading for pleasure and for learning. The BookBus supports our regular book loans to children aged 0 – 11yrs in targeted areas of Leicester. We are investing in a replacement vehicle to modernise children’s mobile library facilities and to ensure the continued delivery of the BookBus service for families in local neighbourhoods for the future.

To support our planning, we would like your views on the proposed changes to the BookBus service, including accessibility, convenience and ease of use. We would also like to hear any ideas you have for improvements to the layout, stock and services to be offered by the new vehicle.

In view of the council’s climate emergency strategy and the air quality action plan, we propose to replace the two diesel vehicles with one ultra-low emissions vehicle (ULEV). 

Benefits of the change:
•    By having one environmentally friendly electric vehicle instead of two diesel ones, we significantly lower carbon emissions, reduce replacement cost, and have lower maintenance and fuel costs in the future.

•    This initiative also contributes to the council's action plan to improve air quality in the city as part of the drive to reduce transport emissions. The electric BookBus will have zero emissions and therefore will not emit nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.

•    The BookBus service to neighbourhoods would continue as now but we would review the specific stops to ensure best use of the bus. These visits will continue to take place in the afternoon between 3pm to 7pm.

•    Visits to early years’ settings would be in the mornings. They would be enhanced to deliver training in storytelling and early years’ book use so the early years’ staff can deliver their own sessions more regularly throughout the year. Visits would be longer, but would take place once a year instead of 3-4 times a year.

•    Early years’ groups can obtain extended loans of larger book collections from the local library or children, young people and family centres instead of through the BookBus. 

•    The BookBus would continue to visit primary schools, festivals and community events to share stories and promote reading to children.