This film is part of Free
I Am a Mobile Librarian
See how Sally Jenkins and her driver, Thomas, run Hertfordshire's mobile library service with military precision.
Overview
Little Hormead, Buntingford, Furneaux Pelham - just three of the villages visited by the mobile library on its fortnightly tour of East Hertfordshire. The film was commissioned by the Foreign Office, presumably, to present British society as efficient, educated and caring to audiences overseas. Librarian Sally Jenkins clearly derives much pleasure from her work, which she also regards as a hobby.
In 2015, the mobile library service continues to be a lifeline for inhabitants of some of the remotest areas of the county. Its route has changed but it still stops in Great Hormead and outside The Brewery Tap pub in Furneaux Pelham. Let's hope someone has taken on the role of Mrs Clark, who always supplied Sally and Thomas with a mid-morning coffee. Beckwith & Sons' antique shop and furniture restorers, featured in the film's first few frames, is still doing business in Hertford.
Related
Cine Club Cine Club
Amateur film 1967 10 mins Silent Location: Hertfordshire
John Clague's unusual portmanteau film features Brylcreem coiffed photographers, bookies, bouffant bridesmaids and off-beat narratives
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.