Wiltshire Library and Information Service

Wiltshire Library and Information Service is a county-wide network of public libraries based in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England. It is service of Wiltshire Council, with the strapline "Love Reading, Love Libraries".

Wiltshire Library and Information Service
MottoLove Reading, Love Libraries
TypePublic libraries
Legal statusLocal government
HeadquartersLibraries & Heritage HQ, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wilts BA14 8BS
Coordinates
Region served
Wiltshire
Membership
c. 215,000 registered members
Parent organization
Wiltshire Council
Staff
c. 170
Volunteers
c. 600
WebsiteWiltshire.Gov.UK

There are 31 public libraries and 5 mobile libraries, including one which specifically visits residential homes. The smallest ten libraries are still stocked with books and funded by the council, but are staffed by volunteers. Volunteers have also helped extend opening hours in some medium-sized libraries.[1]

Facilities

The libraries offer a selection of:

  • Adult fiction books
  • Adult non fiction books
  • Large print books (almost 30,000)
  • Books on cassette and CD (over 20,000)
  • Children's fiction books
  • Children's non fiction books, including homework support
  • A selection of books for teenagers
  • Free access to the internet and office software
  • Collections and advice on health in many large libraries in partnership with the National Health Service
  • Support for reading groups across the county, including longer loan periods and free requests
  • Taster sessions in computers and IT for free - associated with Race Online 2012 and BBC First Click
  • The interlibrary loan service can get books and journal articles from libraries across the region, country, and world if required

Other information services

The libraries can also provide access to:

  • The full reference and information services offered by Wiltshire Library and Information Service, as well as access to a range of online information services
  • Community information via the Wiltshire Clubs and Organisations Directory
  • Local history information via colleagues at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre and through the Wiltshire Studies catalogue and the Wiltshire Community History website which includes detailed information on individual communities.

Resources and events

Library users can search the library catalogue and reserve items they wish to borrow and have them delivered from any Wiltshire library to their nearest library. They can also check their borrower record and renew items.

In 2008 and 2009 promotional events included those featuring aliens, monsters, characters from Star Wars and daleks from Doctor Who at Chippenham Library, Corsham Library, Calne Library, Devizes Library, Salisbury Library, and Bradford on Avon Library. More than 2,000 people attended the event at Chippenham, and more than 3,000 attended at Salisbury.

References
  1. "Wiltshire libraries saved by more than 300 volunteers". BBC News. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
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