Old library bus shelved, new one to roll out soon

A new mobile library will roll out in May thanks to the work of Glen Hawke at City Motorhomes and Caravans, front, and Library Outreach Services manager Glenn Davidson. Photo/John Stone

The wheels on the library bus go round and round. But sadly, time has taken its toll on Whangarei's old "Big Red Bus" and the mobile library only has a few months left before it's replaced by a new custom-built one.

It might be nothing more than a metal frame on wheels now but the new mobile library will house up to 2000 books, discs and games in its 8m of literary inspiration.

The $300,000 bus is expected to roll out this May and, because it's smaller than its predecessor, is available for library staff with standard drivers licences to take on the road.

Glenn Davidson, Libraries Outreach Services team leader at Whangarei District Council, said Whangarei's City Motorhomes and Caravans was leading the construction and had a challenge with the design.

"The biggest challenge will be in getting the balance in making it spacious and inviting but able to carry enough stock.

"It's a small, but amazing space," he said.

Whangarei photographer Diane Stoppard would also be working on artwork for the side of the bus.

There were no plans for a coffee machine in the new bus yet, though.

"Maybe there will be a thermos," Mr Davidson joked.

Bought as a second-hand model in 2003, the old, 10m bus is being offered to other libraries.

"It might not be good enough for the road anymore, but it is still a fully kitted out library."

The mobile library, and its four drivers, serves preschools and retirement villages, as well as beaches in the summer - such as Oakura this year.

It travels south to Waipu and as far west as Pakatai and has clocked up 298,000km, more than 200,000 of those in the Whangarei district.

Mr Davidson said it had started out with the purpose of bringing books to rural Whangarei.

"Now that has expanded to promoting literacy and getting younger people to read."

Mobile library's most popular mobile books
Adults:
Anything by Lee Child, James Patterson, Clive Cussler or Nora Roberts
Children:
The Cats Pyjamas by local author Catherine Foreman
Pete the Cat: I love my white shoes by Eric Litwin
Also, books by Julia Donaldson and Geronimo Stilton