Zen and the art of Mobile Library Maintenance

By Ian Stringer Information Co-ordinator IFLA Public Library Section

About me
I am from Selby in North Yorkshire UK

It is near the Viking city of Jorvik or York

The home of the original Washington family. It is where the Stars and Stripes originate

Whats this about Zen?

The title is copied from the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

This itself is a play on the title of the book Zen and the art of archery by Herrige. Pirsig says that, despite its title, "it should in no way be associated with orthodox Zen Bhuddist practice. I add the same disclaimer to my presentation!

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Pirsig

Pirsig looks at quality.

To truly experience quality you must

embrace and apply it.

Avoids frustration and dissatisfaction. I will explore Mobile Library Maintenance, in its broadest sense, making sure you reach quality by using the second form of working.

My Mobile Library Maintenance Manual

IFLA Mobile Library Guidelines

Revised by Ian Stringer and mobile librarians from: New Zealand - Australia - Finland Norway - Slovenia - USA Spain Portugal - Croatia

Justification - especially in an age of austerity

Mobile libraries are a key component of the delivery of public library services, especially in rural areas. They reach the socially excluded sections of society. The mobile library is very flexible and its routes can be readily changed to reflect changing conditions
Kerry Republic of Ireland

Justification Mobiles v Branches

Vehicles themselves can be readily updated in changing times. E.g. most vehicles have ICT fitted and this was very different ten years ago As vehicles have a limited life span they can more readily be adapted to new ideas in technology, management ideology, and Health & Safety

Kirklees, England

Finance
Mobile library costs vary enormously. To get the most from your vehicle consider the following. First cost Usage per week Staffing Stock

Finance - First cost

Grants Sponsorship Friends Partnership Pooled
This vehicle is a partnership between library and museum service in Seoul South Korea

Finance - Usage per week

Many mobiles are tied to a member of staff They work 37 hours which means time on road can be as little as 20 hours per week Maximise your time on the road With overnight servicing a 7 day week is possible This can give over 60 hours per week.

FinanceStaffing and Stock

Staffing . Examine the busy-ness of halts Changing routes for different vehicles is an easy way to change stock at little extra cost Use local staff

Vehicles
Coach chassis Bus chassis Lorry chassis Trailer Small 3 axle
Warrington, England

Vehicles
Maximise your space Make it light and airy Its more than just books It must be warm in winter and cool in summer

East Riding of Yorkshire, England

Vehicles
Make room for children and other special needs people Consider changing layout at different times of the week

Stirling, Scotland

Vehicles
Access Entrance Safety Toilet IT Power

Walsall, England

Running your vehicle

Regular servicing of mechanical parts to road vehicle law and health and safety standards. Make friends with your transport manager Sufficient back up facilities to ensure optimum coverage Appropriate planning is needed to avoid down time, e.g. overnight servicing, using relief staff.

Equipment
IT features
Pcs Printer Copier On-line access

Derbyshire, England

Equipment
Shelving Counter Seating Childrens area Technology Staff amenities
Birmingham, England

Equipment
Pcs need Space Secure fitting Good access Good connection

Coventry, England

Staff
Mobile library staff must be fit, strong, durable, able to stand cold and heat, be friendly, welcoming, determined and most of all caring. They are THE face of the library to most of their readers.

Staff
Happy staff are good staff Adequate staffing is most important Two staff can keep vehicle open during meal breaks
Upper Murray Regional Library Service Wodonga, Victoria, Australia

Margaret had just won an award!

Stock
Not just books and tell that to your users Rotate stock Rotate vans Online ordering makes it into a mini supermarket service E-books and other downloads
Middlesbrough, England

Base
A service is only as strong as its back up facilities Vehicles housed in suitable garage near base Should have weatherproof loading

Barnsley, England

Base
Management input Power supply available Cleaning facilities should be available for both inside the vehicle and outside.

Management
Maintain a collection of relevant performance indicators. Measure input and outputs together with outcomes, so that the effectiveness and efficiency of the service can be measured and compared. Benchmark the service with other libraries. E.g. cost per issue, cost per kilometre driven

How green is my library

Solar panels Green diesel Economic routing First class servicing Dont carry unnecessary loads Fit gprs and black box Keep inside temperature steady Effective use of windows Dont make unnecessary journeys Mobile libraries save car trips to town

How green is my library

Do you need to have your headlights on when its a sunny day!!!

Promotion
Make your Library Visible! Attend Events Use Corporate image Catch your readers whilst they are young
Sheffield , England

Promotion
Make the vehicle noticeable Vinyl print is quite cheap It is reasonably easy to repair Make sure it says what it is Keep it clean! Your vehicle should advertise itself

Neath - Port Talbot, Wales

Remember

Finally
The most important item on any mobile

The staff!
Happy staff in Buenos Aires container library

Links
http://www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/special-interest -groups/branch-mobile/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.ifla.org/files/hq/publications /professional-report/123.pdf http://www.ifla.org/en/public-libraries

ianmstringer@gmail.com

han k y o u !