"And we are fortunate they did come to our street, but I'm concerned for other elderly people in retirement homes, so I hope the council do what they say they are going to do and replace it.
"It was such a good service and we really loved it. The young man who drove the bus and was its librarian was so helpful and friendly."
The council's arts and culture director Stewart Brown said users of the mobile library would get a more personalised service in future.
"The bus which was previously used has had to be decommissioned due to ongoing mechanical issues and the district has been without the service for several months while a replacement vehicle is found," he said.
Mr Brown said the bus would be replaced with a van "which will enable the service to reach more communities and can be used in tandem with the new Mobile Learning Centre - Te Waka Pounamu - that is already proving popular with young and old".
He said once a new vehicle was found it would not take long to fit it out and have it on the streets.
"A feature of the fit-out will be removable shelving.
"This will provide the option of being able to take collections into schools, rest homes and community centres, making the service more accessible and allowing for the stock to be selected daily and personalised, based on where it's going on any given day.
"The library bus had been due for replacement for some time and the purchase of a replacement vehicle, a van, was brought forward due to the bus needing to be decommissioned earlier than expected.
"The smaller vehicle means all staff will be able to drive it as they won't require a heavy vehicle licence and it will be fitted with a mobility hoist."
