Satellite link boosts Mobile Library offerings

Our increasingly popular mobile library van can now connect to the whole world from anywhere in the district after adding a Starlink portable dish to its service offerings.

The Far North Mobile Library complements services provided by our six ‘bricks-and-mortar’ branch libraries by taking books, magazines, DVDs, talking books, and more directly to our most remote communities in the Far North.

The mobile library was temporarily off the road in January so that the Starlink could be fitted. The new technology means customers can connect to the internet from anywhere in the district – even where there are mobile signal blackspots – and gives them access a full suite of council service centre functions without having to travel to a main centre. Of course, residents can also borrow library books, magazines, DVDS, Toibox collections and requested books.

Close to 3000 Far Northerners visited the library van during 2024. By the end of February 2025, the number of visits had already come close to 1000.

The mobile library now has 28 mobile library stops scheduled, as well as 14 school and early childhood centre visits. To find out where and when the Mobile Library stops, go to the council mobile library's webpage here, or the Far North Mobile Library Facebook page, which provides real-time updates on where the mobile librarians will be on any given day.

If you would like to see the mobile library in your town or community, get in touch with the team via its Facebook page or via email outreachservices@fndc.govt.nz.