Shetland Library today unveiled a new library van, offering improved mobile library services to rural areas across Shetland.
The new bespoke vehicle, which has been named 'Tammie Stories', replaces the previous van which came into service over ten years ago. Despite being built slightly shorter, the new van can carry approximately 200 more items of stock, with an improved internal layout. Shetland Library staff have commented that with 2,282 items on board, it could be described as a "book tardis".
The mobile library service currently operates over 12 routes, operating on a six-weekly rotating schedule, reaching communities across the isles. While the larger mobile library van provides more space for customers to browse and choose books, the service also has a smaller delivery vehicle, providing pre-selected books and home deliveries.
Since its creation in 1964, the service has seen many changes over the years in response to the needs of its users, most notably its expansion and diversification after the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The service has also increased the number of visits to rural schools.
Last year, there were over 4,600 visits to the mobile library in Shetland and there are currently over 320 library users registered as Mobile Library users. The Scottish Library Information Council (SLIC) recently highlighted that in 2025 there were 37 mobile libraries in 19 Scottish local authorities, with 317 routes serving over 2,200 mobile library stops and with over 28,000 registered mobile library users.
The new library van, which was built by Houston Coachworks Ltd in Northern Ireland, with a chassis provided by NI Trucks, was procured as part of the Council’s Fleet Management rolling upgrade programme. The Fleet Management Service will provide ongoing maintenance, as it does for many other Council vehicles.
Catherine Jeromson, Team Leader for Reader Services at Shetland Library, said “This investment in our service is hugely appreciated by us at the library, but more so by our users who benefit from the Mobile Library, with many regarding it as a lifeline service.”
Unveiling the new van today, Davie Sandison, who Chairs the Council’s Education and Families Committee said: “As well as promoting literacy and providing access to books and information, mobile libraries play a vital role. In many of our rural communities, they help people affected by social isolation and support those who are unable to visit their local library. I’m really pleased to see this new van introduced to this valuable service.”
More details on the Council’s mobile library service and community libraries can be found on the Shetland Library webpages