Mobile Library Serves Wellington City Suburbs

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 96, 7 November 1947, Page 6

Mobile Library Serves Wellington City Suburbs

When Wellington City Councillors found that, due to building difficulties, it might be some years before they could erect several urgently needed suburban libraries, they did not let the matter rest there. They decided that if the people could not come to the library, they would take the library to the people—on wheels! The problem was briefly that three large Wellington suburbs were without library service, and athough the City Council was prepared to erect branch libraries, building permits were refused. It was then decided to use a mobile service. A cab-over-engine truck, which had been in use in the Army as a women’s chiropody van, was acquired. On a lengthened chassis it had a body 23ft long, 7ft Bin wide and from 6ft 6in to 6ft 9in hjgh inside.

The vehicle was converted for library purposes by the Corporation’s own Tramways workshop. Much thought was given to its planning. Inclined shelving and a compact desk were built in and provision had to be made not only for battery lighting but also for hooking up to a power pole when the vehicle is in position in the suburbs it serves. Painted a pillar-box red with a grey top and with cream lettering and showing the coat of arms of the City, it looks very handsome and businesslike. Operated by a driver-librarian, the van does three half-days at Northland and three half-days at Island Bay and also changes the stock at Khandallah Branch library. The van carries 1600 books, plus magazines.