CHILDREN at a primary school in Leicester have this week become the first to enjoy a visit from the city’s brand new, zero-emission BookBus.
Leicester City Council launched the fully-electric mobile library yesterday (Thursday 18 April) with the help of the children at Braunstone Community Primary School.
Stocked with 1,200 books and equipped with a video display screen, the colourful new BookBus will become a familiar sight on Leicester’s roads as it takes the joy of reading to neighbourhoods across the city.
The new vehicle will follow the existing BookBus routes, visiting areas including Eyres Monsell, Thurnby Lodge, Braunstone and Beaumont Leys on weekday afternoons. Friendly staff on board will help young readers find the perfect book, with the BookBus carrying dozens of titles aimed at those aged 11 and under.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell said: “Reading plays a vital role in children’s development and wellbeing, so it’s really important that every child in Leicester has access to brilliant books that can fire up their imagination, build their vocabulary or inspire them to discover more.
“By delivering library services to the heart of communities, we can reach those who may not be able to visit their local library.
“Our new and improved BookBus is the start of an exciting new chapter in our mobile library service that will support children’s reading and help encourage a love for reading that will last a lifetime.”
The new cleaner, greener BookBus will contribute towards the council’s commitment to making Leicester a carbon-neutral city and allow the library service to retire its old diesel vehicle, which has been operating in Leicester for the past 15 years.
As well as making regular visits to neighbourhoods, schools and early years' settings, the new BookBus will also pop up at festivals and events throughout the year. Young visitors to Leicester’s St George’s Day Festival tomorrow (Saturday 20 April), for example, will be able to enjoy free storytelling sessions at the new BookBus, which will be parked in the St Martin’s House car park near the cathedral from midday until 5pm.
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Picture caption: Children from Braunstone Community Primary School celebrate the arrival of the city's new BookBus