Maidenhead & Windsor

Enjoying a good book is about to become even easier with the launch of a wider range of mobile library services in the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough.

Following a thorough Windsor and Maidenhead review last year - and taking ownership of a new, state-of-the-art vehicle - the council is introducing a number of improvements, including more than 40 extra public stops and a weekly full-day stay at Shifford Crescent in Cliveden View, Maidenhead for the container library.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead adult and community services, pointed out that as well as providing an essential service for residents who are housebound or have difficulty getting out and about, the mobile library is available to anyone who would like to use it.

He said: "The Royal Borough provides a thriving library service that is continually reviewed and updated to meet the requirements of residents of all ages. Following last year's review we consulted with the public and received a very high level of support for the proposed changes.

"By taking the library further into the community we are making it even easier for everyone to enjoy our wide range of regular, large print and audio books."

The extended mobile Windsor and Maidenhead library services, which start on Monday 6 July, will be:

* available to more residents - by combining homes and housebound stops with public stops, more than 40 additional public stops have been created
* more efficient - routes have been adjusted and the mobile library redirected to where customers want it
* more environmentally friendly - the new vehicle has a controlled emissions system
* more integrated - from September the vehicle's computer system will be networked, making it quicker and easier for mobile customers to obtain requests from any other library in the borough.

The new routes can be viewed at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/libraries_mobile.htm, at the local libraries, or by calling mobile library supervisor Ralph Hinchliffe on 01628 796314.

Cliveden View residents will be able to enjoy an even wider range of books plus free internet access with the arrival of the container library next to the Shifford Crescent shops every Tuesday, starting Tuesday 28 July. The library, which is considerably larger than the mobile library and has a much larger stock, will be open from 10am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm.

To celebrate the launch a family fun session will be held on the green next to the shops from 10.30am to 12noon on 28 July.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead