Following their recent “inspiring libraries” consultation, on 26th February Hertfordshire County Council tweeted “We’re keeping all our #libraries open”. However, they are still proposing to decommission the Mobile Library Service, replacing it with what they call an expanded Home Library Service.

The consultation in no way recognised the massive importance of the current service to many people, largely in rural areas, who cannot access a local library on foot. The Home Library Service is a great service for those those who cannot drive for reasons of disability or other, but will be of little or no use to the majority of mobile service users, including children.

Rural users have as much right to access libraries, browse books, order books, and talk to staff and fellow borrowers as their peers in the town. The new proposal expects rural users to pay petrol and parking charges in order to access the same services those in towns can walk to. 

This proposal unfortunately also comes at a time when the county is looking to cut rural bus services. It seems likely rural inhabitants will simply stop using the libraries.

Please sign this petition asking Herts County Council to continue to provide a Mobile Library Service to people in it’s rural communities as this is a greatly appreciated service.