'Epos' - Norway´s floating library

Oevstegaard, Anne Marie

IFLA Council and General Conference / .
(ReLIS:jul:juljin:6642)

Abstract:

This service is unique in Norway, although we have a lot of bookmobile buses throughout the country, there is only one boat. This boat operates the west coast of Norway, with its fjords and its islands, and is a joint service between three county libraries. The first floating library service was started in 1959 in Hordaland, and in 1963 the current boat 'Epos' was built specifically to serve as a bookboat. At that time the counties of Sogn and Fjordane, Moere and Romsdal joined the service. It is still an important part of the three county libraries´ services. Although infrastructure is changing, and roads and bridges are being built, there are still localities most easily reached by boat. The bookboat is 80 feet long, it carries approximately 6000 books, and visits 250 small communities twice a year. The services of the bookboat are funded over the budgets of the three county libraries, with a refund of 50% from the state.

Creation: 2000
Keywords: Bibliotecas móviles

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