Wigan Album

That mobile library used to park near St James Church Poolstock. The driver in the 1950s was Mr Westhead; he lived in Upholland

Oh, I LOVED the Mobile Library! Mr Westhead was in charge when it came to Ince, too, where I grew up. When Abram Library closed, we had a Mobile Library for a few weeks to take its place and I loved it and it brought back childhood memories, but it didn't last long. In the early sixties, when I was 9 or 10, my friend and I used to have an ink-pad and date stamp and we would stick those thin brown paper sleeves from After Eight Mints, (which I think had only just been introduced), into my books at home, and make library cards to slide into them, and we would play "libraries" for hours! I still have my cardboard library tickets from Abram and HATE the plastic card we have to use now. My daughter lives on The Isle of Lewis where they still have a Mobile Library Service taking books from Stornoway Library all over the island, whilst we here have seen library after library close down and we have to travel to the Glass Box in Millgate, but that's progress, isn't it?.....Isn't it?

Irene. Some things progress and some go backwards. As a child (born 1952) I was obsessed with the Children's library in Station Road. My mum would take me down once a week from where we lived in Scholes.It was magical to me and the staff were lovely and I was actually very sad when I was "too old" for the Children's Library.

Irene at least the "Glass Box" has a very substantial selection of books-even if you have to help yourself at every stage! I always coveted a job in the library- and it seems I have now got my wish!!! The assistants always seem to be at their computers -doing what I don't know!!

Carolaen, I was born in 1952 as well, and I loved the Powell Children's Library on Station Road. You had to be quiet in those days, too! Vb, I would LOVE to issue my own books if it was still done by the cardboard-library-card and ink-pad way, but I hate the new method with the plastic card, and every time I go into the Glass Box, the staff seem to be standing chatting around the central desk, but in all fairness they are very pleasant and helpful when approached. I just miss the old ways. Thankyou both for your comments.

Children's Library on Station Road... Ah yes I went there often from my home in Poolstock. Borrowed all the Just William books from there. May not have been quite so keen had I known that Richmal Crompton was a woman

I went through all the books in the children's library mentioned. I then used my parents' cards & used the adult library. I was a very fast reader - family trait, & I still am.

Contrast the old children's library with the glass box of today. It reminds me of an airport terminal/Internet cafe! I could imagine Tom Hanks coming out of one of those wash rooms with his luggage. Let's face it there is room for a helicopter to land for a quick getaway! Having said that I do find the staff very helpful and it is a change from my old library. Also there is plenty room for some of the older people to go and read the paper and keep warm!

Yes, people can sit in the warm and read. It's just that they have to travel into Wigan do so, Vb, in Summer and Winter alike. Each place surrounding Wigan, eg Ince, Abram, Hindley, Pemberton etc. etc. had its own library, usually open until around 7pm, and places that didn't have their own building had a weekly visit from the mobile library. There aren't many local libraries left now and the Mobile no longer exists. We have lost so much in the name of so-called "progress".

I agree Irene totally....it seems as if the public do not have any say at all! It was touch and go in Westhoughton and occasionally people are listened to. Mind you computers have put paid to reading books as well! That won't happen with me anyway!

i remember the mobile library coming to Kingsley Ave goose green in the early 70s.my ex mother in law would go in every Saturday to help out by stamping the books.Mr.Westhead and his helpers would take it in turns going to my mother in laws for a cup of tea and a club biscuit and use the toilet.she lived round the corner from where the library stopped so it was convenient for them.those who used the library would probably know my ex mother in law Monica Fairhurst she helped in the library for years

The only lady who stands out for me Margaret is a very attractive blonde girl/lady called Pat and that's only because she lived nearby in Scholes. At that time early 60s they wore a nylon overall which was belted and flared in pastel colour..... Pale green or bluey grey. I haunted that library at age 14 after transferring from the children's library.

my mother in law only helped out when the library came to Kingsley Ave

Hi Margaret S I remember Mrs Fairhurst ( you never called an adult by their first name) very well as I used the library every week ... she used to save all the Famous Five and then the Nancy Drew Mysteries for me ... I used to spend ages in there and loved it .....

Monica Fairhurst was my Aunt and I used to love going to visit her and chat to Mr. Westhead and his assistants. Thanks Margaret for remembering those days