Love Libraries – On the road with a literary lifeline
Omar Dafalla has been driving a mobile library for 32 years, continuing a proud tradition that began more than a century ago.
The UK’s first mobile library service began on his route, in Perthshire, in 1921. Back then, a Ford van lined with wooden shelves took between 800 and 900 books to local towns and villages.
Now, two brightly coloured vehicles welcome visitors aboard as they deliver books to individuals and groups, including nurseries, primary schools and sheltered housing complexes. The mobile libraries offer much more than books, including hearing aid batteries and walking stick ferrules
Omar has been driving one of these vans for 32 years and has been with Culture Perth and Kinross’s library service for 42 years. He said:
“I serve the local community with a rural book service on a three-weekly rota. We cover 2,500 square miles and the two mobile library vans cover most of this area, apart from the large towns that have community libraries. I drive about 300 to 350 miles per week.
“On average I visit 20 villages and hamlets and a couple of small towns every week. I can visit the elderly and infirm close to their homes as many customers don’t drive or are too old to drive, plus public transport is poor in some areas. It’s almost like a door-to-door service, which is most welcome by many readers. People can also request books online and I can deliver.”
Benefits
Omar said that while there can be challenges – roadworks, winter weather and the aging van needing to be off the road for repairs – the benefits of the job and the service far outweigh these.
“I get to deliver a great service to readers of all ages and their communities,” he added. “I see how happy people are with the service and how much they appreciate it.
“I’ve also made so many friends over the years and met some great characters. You have more time for a chat. For some people the mobile library is not just about the books – the smiling driver might be the only person they see regularly.
“The mobile library is a more personalised service as you are on their doorstep and you get a bit more time with people than in a busy library. I can check on more isolated and elderly people in case perhaps something isn’t quite right.
“And I get to be out and about in the gorgeous countryside of Perth and Kinross – the views in some areas are spectacular. I enjoy driving and it’s a great job.”
A highlight for Omar, who has three adult children and one grandchild, is visiting schools and nurseries and helping encourage a lifelong love of books and libraries.
“The kids really enjoy the visits,” he added. “Me and the other van driver Scott [Brown] have about 20 nursery and primary schools in all, every Friday on a four-week cycle.”
Public support and demand for the service is high, with Omar hopeful that new vans will replace the current ageing vehicles in 2026. He said:
“This is my fourth mobile library and they’ve all served well. A lot of people use the vans and long may we continue.”
Learn more about Culture Perth and Kinross library services and what’s on by clicking here.
The National Library of Scotland are collaborating with Culture Perth and Kinross as part of their ‘Outwith: National Library on Tour’ programme, held as part of our centenary celebrations. This includes the loan of the last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots to Perth Museum for three months from 23 January until 26 April.
Complementary events and activities are also planned, including material related to Mary by Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead going on display at Perth’s AK Bell Library.
Learn more about our ‘Outwith’ programme and what’s on where, by clicking here.