It’s Mobile Libraries Day and we would like to spotlight the invaluable service provided by our Mobile Library Driver, David Protherough.
Since 2015, David has been the driving force behind our mobile library, navigating the beautiful landscapes of Islay and Jura.
Living in these remote islands can often be isolating, with many library members residing far outside the small local communities. For some individuals, David serves as a vital connection to the outside world, as he may be the only person they see for days at a time.
Recognising this need, David goes above and beyond by fostering strong relationships with his customers. For those who are unable to access the mobile library due to various circumstances, David makes personal deliveries on his routes, uplifting returned books and bringing new titles directly to their doorsteps. He also requests specific titles from our mainland library branches, further expanding the selection available to our members.
The stops on his routes include local towns and communities, schools and even a distillery!
The mobile library operates on a convenient two-week rota. Every second Monday, David sets off on a journey to the Isle of Jura via ferry, this includes several planned stops, including one to the local Primary School, providing a library resource for the local school children.
You can follow David’s journey to Jura on our library’s Facebook page today.
Since September 2021, David has volunteered with the Islay Coastguard, a team of nine who work with local police and emergency services. They are called out to help with missing vessels, traffic incidents and accidents, and routine calls such as patient transfers to the Coastguard helicopter.
We want to join everyone today in celebrating the work of Mobile Library drivers and librarians, especially our very own David.