This is a documentary on the work of the Ryedale mobile library.  It shows the various places covered and the appreciation of villagers for the service. The North Yorkshire Mobile Library Service started in December 1966 and throughout the years has been vital in providing people with a regular supply of reading matter.  The Mobile Library stocks over 2000 books, videos and audio-tapes as well as providing information on local matters.  Barrie Pickering, who has been working for the Mobile...

This is a documentary on the work of the Ryedale mobile library.  It shows the various places covered and the appreciation of villagers for the service. The North Yorkshire Mobile Library Service started in December 1966 and throughout the years has been vital in providing people with a regular supply of reading matter.  The Mobile Library stocks over 2000 books, videos and audio-tapes as well as providing information on local matters.  Barrie Pickering, who has been working for the Mobile Library out of Pickering for over seventeen years, is our host for the journey. Title – Yorvid Productions present  The Borrowers A mobile library enters the village of Warthill.  The Senior Library Assistant on Pickering Moor mobile Libraries, Barry Pickering, gives brief history of the service and what it provides.  He is shown driving the mobile library around the area with road signs indicating where is covered.  Jane, a farmer’s wife in Arden, gives an account of her work as she is shown working around the farm.  Jane explains why she thinks that the mobile library service is wonderful.  The library stops at Arden Hall, Hawnby.  Barry describes the difficulties of getting around in the snow, and how he gets requests for inter-library loans for books from all over the country.  Judith Harris explains her use of the library, and of how the service has been cut, as she dishes out Yorkshire puddings at her cottage in the village of Howsham.  As she talks about her favourite book, The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz, customers are issued books. Next Margaret Gosney gives their views of the library as they serve customers at Hawnby Post Office.  Margaret talks about the village and her book preferences.  Barry takes some books to someone who is housebound.  Another villager, Susan Hall, explains why she likes the children’s book, Rest of the Day Is Your Own, but Neil Packer, which she reads to her children.  Barry explains how the mobile library functions as a community gathering, as locals sit together having a tea time in Susan’s garden in Harome, when Barry arrives with the mobile library. End Credits Thanks to everyone who helped to make the film possible, especially Jane Buckle, Margaret and John Gosney, Judith Harris, Susan Hall, Helen Newlove, Barrie Pickering, Annette Rose, Richard Williams, Staff at Pickering Library. Funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England, Ryedale District Council Equipment and Facilities Blue Frog Studios Music Rory Motion and the Travelling Libraries Editors Shaun Bradley and John Phillips Director Shaun Bradley Producer Becky Quartermaine Executive Producer John Phillips Yorvid Ltd Copyright 2001 The Borrowers is part of the A4 Contemporary Video Collection