Mobile Library Service Disruption (South Mobile)

From Derbyshire County Council:

Mobile Library Service Disruption (South Mobile)

Please see attached the Mobile Library Routes information for the 12 week period 8 December 2025 to 27 February 2026.

There is only a timetable for the North mobile at the moment, as the South Mobile is currently off the road.

We would like to apologise for the ongoing lack of service experienced by users of the South Mobile Library.

Despite repeated attempts, we have been unable to recruit a replacement Mobile Library Driver, following the retirement of the previous driver. Due to the size of the mobile library vehicle, drivers need an HGV licence and a current CPC qualification, which has proved a barrier to recruitment.

Two new, smaller mobile libraries have been ordered which will not require HGV qualifications to operate. These vehicles are scheduled to be delivered to us early in the New Year, and we anticipate will enter service by April 2026. The current suspension of the South Mobile Library service will therefore continue until the new vehicles come into service. We are very sorry that we have been unable to provide a full service, but we anticipate that the new provision will be much more reliable.

Users who are unable to visit a physical library in the meantime can contact library.communityengagement@derbyshire.gov.uk for a referral to our Home Library Service – find out more at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/homelibraryservice

In the event of any queries, can they please contact either Chris Bertenshaw (North) via Chris.Bertenshaw@derbyshire.gov.uk or Ruth Sharpe (South) via Ruth.Sharpe@derbyshire.gov.uk .