Central Bedfordshire Coucnil is currently reviewing it's library van and book delivery service. (The book bundle delivery is currently for those unable to get to a library.) The plans are to stop the library van and to change the book delivery service to one with eligibility criteria to be run by volunteers. I only just found out about the consultation on this and the closing date is this Friday 18th September.
From a quick glance at the information provided the eligibility criteria being proposed doesn't include partially sighted people only those severely sight impaired rather than both sight impaired and severely sight impaired. Yet partially sighted people can't drive so face the same issues getting to a library. I am hoping this is just a language oversight but unfortunately more and more recently I am becoming aware of criteria like this ignoring those registered as sight impaired (partially sighted) and only focusing on those registered (severely sight impaired.) Many older people are registered sight impaired are no longer able to drive and are living in rural settings with out public transport and so are unable to get to the library. If the wording stayed as it is they would be denied the opportunity to receive library books.
The Council also propose that library staff will assess whether someone is entitled to the service from the check list of different impairments! I think this is extremely worrying as I am certain most librarians and library staff did not go into their chosen career in order to assess how disabled someone is! It is putting an unnecessary burden on the library staff and I can see it only causing real problems for library staff. Are the council really suggesting that there are hoards of people pretending to be disabled in order to get some books delivered to their house every couple of weeks?
The council also proposes to cut the library van completely which they say is only used by 241 people currently. I would guess though that a lot of those people use the van because they can't get to the library and will be forced to use this volunteer lead book delivery scheme instead or as the council probably hopes will not sign up for the service (who wants to be assessed as disabled by your local librarian?) and so save money that way.
I understand that the council needs to save money but I can only see this causing huge problems for the older and disabled people who rely on the mobile and door to door book service. These will be some of the most vulnerable and isolated people in our society who rely on these books as a real life line. I know that RNIB research shows that losing the ability to read is one of the greatest fears people have when they are diagnosed with an eye condition. Of course with brilliant services like library vans and the door to door service blind and partially sighted people can continue to read in many formats (large print, braille and audio books.)
The consultation closes on Friday so please fill out the survey even if you don't live in Beds or use the mobile library service, one day you might have to! You have to scroll down the page to find the Library Link consultation http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/have-your-say/default.aspx
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