LIBRARY books across Warwickshire are going green.
Warwickshire Home Library Service has unveiled its first electric-powered vehicle to deliver books door-to-door.
The new electric vehicle is a modern Peugeot e-Expert van. It will be used by the Home Library Service team, which consists of fourteen volunteer drivers, to deliver library books to all corners of the county.
The van has a range of over 150 miles on one charge and will enable the team to comfortably reach about 350 customers every four weeks in a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner.
An eye-catching livery design has also been added onto the new van to help promote this valuable free service as it travels across the county.
The official unveiling of the van took place at a volunteer celebration event at Kenilworth Library, and provided the opportunity for library staff to share a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers whose unwavering support helps to deliver a great library service for customers across Warwickshire.
The Home Library Service is often described by customers as a lifeline if they are unable to visit their local library or mobile libraries due to ongoing ill health or infirmity. The book selections available in the van are chosen by staff based at the office in Kenilworth Library, and often tailored to customers’ preferences.
The Home Library Service is completely free of charge, and books can be provided in large print or audio formats if required.
Warwickshire County Council spokesperson Coun Yousef Dahmash said: “We are delighted to unveil this electric-powered van as part of the Home Library Service offer. This new and modern addition, celebrated alongside our invaluable volunteers, ensures that we can support Warwickshire’s local communities while demonstrating the service’s ongoing commitments to environmental responsibility.
“The move to electric vehicles is part of the actions linked to the Council’s Sustainable Futures Strategy, which sets out how we will reduce carbon emissions from transport. To support this, libraries staff are also looking forward to welcoming two new mobile library vehicles, fully powered by electricity, in early 2024, which will be another exciting milestone in providing an accessible, sustainable, and environmentally conscious library services to residents.”
To find out more visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/homelibraryservice
