DEVON’S libraries attracted 2.7 million visits and welcomed more than 135,000 regular library users last year.

Devon County Council and charity Libraries Unlimited, which is commissioned to run Devon’s libraries, says the high visitor numbers are a reflection of the broad range of services that appeal to a variety of audiences.

But while the diversity of services on offer in Devon’s public libraries has expanded beyond the traditional book lending service the county’s mobile library and outreach services in rural areas has remained largely unchanged.

Now, the council wants to consider ways to increase take up in rural areas in order to reach more people who can’t easily access Devon’s 50 public libraries.

To do this it is launching a review to find out what people think is most important about mobile and outreach library services, to shape the design of an outreach service that better meets people’s needs and offers access to the wider range of library facilities.

Options could include extending the Home Library Service, which delivers books and audiobooks direct to people’s homes.

This service is currently intended for people who are unable to visit a library due to ill-health or disability or are too frail to carry heavy books, but it could be extended to include other people who need it.

Alternatively, there could be transport arranged to take people to their nearest library. The council could work more closely with local community transport providers to provide regular stops at libraries, so that people from outlying villages can access the full range of library services, including local events and activities.

Another consideration would be to introduce a Good Neighbour Scheme, a new type of membership that would enable friends, family members or neighbours to collect and return books on someone else’s behalf.

Or there could be adhoc, “pop-up” libraries in some villages. The council could work with local communities to use local venues on a regular basis to make library services available.

The council also wants to consider what to do with its four ageing mobile library vehicles, which have become unreliable, increasingly expensive to run, and carry limited stock.

The number of people using the mobile library service has fallen by almost a quarter since 2014/15 and the number of mobile library loans has reduced from more than 90,000 to 64,000 in that time.

HAVE A SAY

People can take part in the consultation by visiting: devon.cc/librariesoutreach . They can complete the consultation online in any of Devon County Council’s 50 libraries, and paper copies of the consultation are available at all the libraries and at mobile library service stops.

The deadline for responses is July 28.