North Yorkshire’s supermobile library has won an award for its livery, which was designed by schoolchildren.
This supermobile took to the road just over a year ago, replacing a vehicle that had clocked up 233,000 miles over ten years.
The new vehicle was decorated with the winning artwork in a competition for young people to find the most eye-catching way to represent the library. Four winners each produced a design to make the supermobile unmissable on the county’s roads. They were Lydia and Josephine Cooper of Richmond, Ben Williamson of Sheriff Hutton and Katy Mandis of Thirsk.
Now that work has been recognised nationally, with the supermobile taking the Best Livery Shield at the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals conference in Staffordshire this month. It was the only one to use children’s artwork and beat eight other mobiles from around the country to take the prize.
The supermobile serves the far reaches of the county and the more remote market towns and villages. Customers have a choice of 3,000 items, including books for all ages, audio books and DVDs. Two public access computers are linked to the internet by satellite technology so people can use the internet on board. There is room for school groups to visit, as well as for partners such as the police or health professionals to run drop-in sessions.
The vehicle visits communities across the county, from Robin Hood’s Bay and Sleights on the coast to Buckden and Kettlewell in the Dales, Danby and Rosedale on the North York Moors and Eggborough and Balne in the south. It makes more than 8,000 visits a year with customers borrowing about 30,000 items.
County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, Executive Member for Libraries said:
The supermobile is a welcome visitor to the communities it serves, so it is good to see the work of the young people who contributed to its distinctive look being recognised.
The supermobile’s staff members are praised for being friendly and helpful and people in isolated areas look forward to its arrival.
Glad to see that Clr Metcalfe values some part of the library service! All local libraries are just as important.