As we near the tail end of our ‘big and little’ competition we have a spectacular entry from Manly Library who have submitted details of their MANLY AFLOAT mobile library service (in the smallest library category!). The MANLY AFLOAT vehicle has been servicing the commuters on Manly Wharf between 7:15am and 9:15am Monday to Friday since 2007. The vehicle measures 1.15m wide and 3.35m long. It has 5.72 linear metres of face out display shelving, which can take up to 4 books deep. The service has its own stock, just like a physical branch library. Library users can return the main Library stock through this service, and order/reserve the main Library stock as well. A handheld PDA is used to issue and return books, it’s an offline system which is loaded daily into the Library circulation system.
Richard Barclay the Library Assistant who manages the service also regularly answers Community Information questions, tourist questions, bus & transport questions… and he knows all the answers!
The MANLY AFLOAT vehicle at Manly Wharf with Manly Library staff member Richard Barclay
A big thanks to Louise McMorland, Youth Librarian at Manly for sending this entry in.
Cheers
Jan
Jan Richards, Chair ALIA PLAC