‘The Body in the Mobile Library’ isn’t the title of an Agatha Christie novel. Yet, countless books by the Queen of Crime are to be found among the literary delights on shelves inside the big blue van making regular stops around Tribland. The Mobile Library Service has something for you, whatever genre you prefer reading.
“I know how much it means to the people,” says Roger Portess (pictured), who’s been in charge of the Mobile Library van for eight years. “This is the best job I’ve ever had, even if it’s not the best paid job I’ve ever had. I’d miss it dreadfully.” Clearly, the real story behind the scenes is: “use it or lose it!” So, if you’re not already a member, why not join?
The Mobile Library is free to join (you’ll need to show proof of address on your first visit). Then, you can borrow up to 12 books, without leaving your Tribland idyll. Plus, the printed page isn’t the only offering. Once you’re a member, a wide range of audio and e-books or e-magazines can also be temporarily download onto a computer, tablet or phone, when you sign up to the ‘Borrow Box’ via: www.peterboroughlibraries.borrowbox.com
As regular users of the Mobile Library already know, Roger loves his job. On occasion, his skills have even extended to repairing the van’s engine to ensure he can still get the books out on the road again and into the grateful albeit often clammy hands of Tribland residents! “Everyone who uses the service really appreciates it. I hate being late due to heavy traffic or held up at the railway crossings, especially when the weather is bad. I know, people will be waiting in the cold,” Roger says.
Peter Browse is one of Roger’s biggest fans. “I’ve met many librarians,” says Peter, “but Roger, the mobile library man, is special! As well as moving that great vehicle around, he tends to all of us with cheerful chat and care. It’s always a pleasure to use his invaluable service.” Books by authors Karen Rose, Lynda La Plant, John Connolly and John Grisham are among those borrowed this year by Peter.
Stops on Roger’s regular (albeit not straightforward) Mobile Library Timetable include: Bainton, Barnack, Northborough, Peakirk, Wittering, Marholm, Ailsworth, Helpston, Glinton and Maxey. The full schedule is available to check online. Residents of Helpston, however, have the luxury of timely reminders posted on the village’s online community page by bibliophile and mobile library devotee Mary Purdon, explaining when and where the big blue van can be expected.
“The Mobile Library is so accessible and convenient for me,” says retired Primary Teacher Mary, “I can order anything in advance and it doesn’t cost me a penny. I think, the service is particularly good for older people, who are perhaps unable to get to Peterborough easily. For some, it’s a real lifeline. It’s good for young people too, especially in the current economic climate. Books are expensive to buy.” Mary’s final job before retirement was working with teachers and teaching assistants to help children with reading difficulties, “it was such a rewarding job. If you teach a child to read, you open up the world to them!”
Sadly, there isn’t a Service on Saturdays, so those at work elsewhere during the week do miss out. They’ll just have to hope membership numbers keep increasing, so the service is still running when they reach retirement and can finally make use of it, after dutifully paying their taxes for decades. Fingers crossed.
It seems not everyone is a fan of the service, yet in fairness everyone is entitled to their opinion. On a village Facebook page an individual wrote, “it’s great but you block a very busy main road. Not ideal.” Others were however quick to disagree, posting: “providing a valuable service for those unfortunate enough to be unable to travel to a library” or “Just a bit more traffic calming, really.” These online exchanges offer a small unscientific glimpse of the varying attitudes towards the pace of life and competing priorities in perhaps every Tribland village.
Mary (and husband Bill) arrived in Helpston over eight years ago, along with a saxophone and 57 boxes of books! Yet, naturally, no book lover is ever content with the infinite volumes already available at home, so in addition to the Mobile Library, Mary is also signed up to Stamford Library and community-run Market Deeping Library, just over the border in Lincolnshire.
Mary also runs a crime focused book club on behalf of the University of the Third Age from Werrington Library (it’s so popular there is a waiting list to join!) and is able to order up sets of books in advance for members of her group to read simultaneously. Elly Griffith, Dorothy L. Sayers, Michael Connolly, Mick Heron, A. A. Dhand and Val McDermid are among the authors enjoyed by the group. There are, of course, many long-established Book Clubs in the area. Each has its own unique rules of engagement. Any group seeking new members is urged to post details on the Village Tribune Facebook page.
