April 23, 1954

A HINT that Alcester might soon have its own regional branch library is given in the annual library report from county headquarters.

The report states that it is a considerable disappointment that the scheme has not yet materialised owing to the non-availability of suitable premises, but it is hoped that the difficulties may be solved during the coming year.

There was considerable demand for a full library service in Alcester, the report added.

A sub-branch library was also planned for Bidford on Avon when suitable premises became available.

A more encouraging report was given in respect of the Alcester regional mobile library service .

Since its inception a little over seven months ago, a record number of 94,878 books have been issued. Of that number 21.23 per cent were non-fiction.

Before the scheme was put into operation a survey of the area involving personal calls on nearly 3,000 householders was made to explain the scope and purpose of the new service and to gain the necessary information and work out a system of routes.

An average of 363 volumes per day was recorded during the first week and this number has increased steadily during the succeeding months, the average daily issue then rose to 665 volumes.

The library covers the area by a series of 10 journeys repeated at fortnightly intervals. A total of 1,726 families now use the service.