From now on, Waaslanders can borrow books from any Wase library… and that involves a lot: “Volunteers drive through the region to deliver books” (Zwijndrecht)

From now on you can borrow books from any Wase library… and there is a lot involved. — © Pieter Van Hecke

From Thursday, Waaslanders will be able to request and borrow books from all Wase libraries thanks to the new Biblio Waas book transport. Every week, volunteers will drive through the Waasland to collect and deliver books. “A good initiative, especially for school-going youth,” says volunteer Wini Van Overschelden.

The ten Wase libraries make it possible for Waaslanders to request or return their favorite book in any local library. Twice a week, volunteers drive an electric shared car past the ten Wase libraries to deliver the books.

“Two loops are planned in the Waasland with the Sint-Niklaas library as a common point,” says Jerina Vanstraelen of Interwaas, who coordinates the project. “The departure points are always at a location where an electric shared car is available. This is currently in Beveren, Temse, Stekene, Waasmunster and in the long term also Sint-Niklaas.” (Read more below the photo)

“It is certainly an asset that you have access to the entire Waasland collection in your own library,” says competent alderman Lieve Truyman (N-VA). “Temse, for example, has a strong youth department, but for scientific documents you now also have access to other libraries, for example in Sint-Niklaas or Beveren.”

Good initiative

A total of eight volunteers have nominated to carry out the rides. On Thursday, volunteers and friends Wini Van Overschelden and Karine Firlefyn were allowed to start the first trip. It will take them about three hours to get all the books to the right location. “It is a good initiative, especially for school-going youth,” says Wini.

“I am an avid reader myself and visit the library a lot. I recently retired and this is a nice activity to have contact with people,” says her friend Karine.