These were some library books I had from the mobile library earlier this year. Yesterday he called (having missed a month because the van had to go in for MoT.) I was about to go and have a look around the crime novels when he stopped me and pointed to a printed sheet, explaining that - as forewarned when users of the mobile library had the chance to fill out a form on using the mobile library - the Council had decided to give a three month trial where the van would no longer call at houses, but the service would be changed to one which stopped for two hours in a nearby village so that people could use the computers which are going to be fitted, charge their mobile phones (do they honestly think we don't have blardy electricity in our homes?!) and perhaps change books - every week, instead of a monthly visit. I would have a choice of driving up to Llanfynydd, down to Nantgaredig, or possibly up the valley to Brechfa. Having written a lengthy epistle on the forms they had provided last autumn, saying that this was the thin end of the wedge and I expected that people would no longer bother with the service once it became inconvenient (for all but those living in the villages where the van parked up), the Council would soon announce that the service would be completely terminated because no-one wanted to use it. . . I think you would call it a self-fulfilling prophecy. I will let you know the outcome, but the Librarian said that (like me) everyone was just handing their books in and not intending to go to the nearest village in future.
Fortunately I have a pile and a half of books to work my way through, and plenty more on my bookshelves, but I will miss taking out recipe books, novels I've not come across before and what have you, at my convenience. What is the situation in the area you live in?
