Tuscarawas County Public Library System officials say the wait is finally over. The new TCPL bookmobile was delivered on Thursday, April 10th.
“While the wait was long, it certainly seems appropriate that it would arrive during National Library Week,” said Library Director Michelle McMorrow Ramsell.
Ramsell said the new bookmobile, only the 9th vehicle in the library’s 75-year mobile service history, comes to them after years of planning, saving, and grant writing. The Library’s Mobile Service operation provides materials to students in its service district, as well as individuals who may not have access to visit the Main Library in New Philadelphia or one of its branches in Bolivar, Strasburg, Sugarcreek, or Tusky.
The 24 - ½ foot Mercedes Sprinter bookmobile is customized with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, a lift, an awning, a checkout station, flexible shelving, and a customized wrap.
“The new vehicle blends the best of both worlds for us,” said Assistant Director Brian Herzog. “It is smaller than the bus-style bookmobile, making it easier to move around the county, and it still allows customers to get onto the vehicle to browse and select their own materials.”
Herzog said the bookmobile also has the best of both worlds when it comes to Wi-Fi access. It has a dual carrier, which means it can switch between two different Wi-Fi carriers to provide access even in the most remote areas of our service district. Customers who visit the bookmobile can check out physical materials, but they can also use the bookmobile’s Wi-Fi to check out and download books or database articles that will stay on their devices even after they return home.
Mobile Service Supervisor Lacy Bartley said the vehicle will provide her team with greater flexibility and efficiency in delivering services to the community.
“The flexible shelving is really neat,” said Bartley. “It is made of individual carts that can be strapped to the wall or center section of the bookmobile. We can easily change the collection of the bookmobile based upon whether we are visiting a school, nursing home, or community stop.” Bartley said the carts are also flexible because they can be easily detached and rolled into a school, nursing home, or retirement center for customers to browse and select materials without getting on the bookmobile.
The Library anticipates the new vehicle will create a greater demand for the mobile service collection. This need was answered with a $4,750 donation from the Friends of the Tuscarawas County Public Library – New Philadelphia, a 501c3 organization.
“We are so grateful for their support,” said Herzog. “Their donation helps us to expand this year’s Mobile Service collection budget by 20%.” Herzog said the Library’s acquisition team has ordered and are processing additional large print, graphic novels, picture books, beginner readers, and more to be added to the existing Mobile Services collection.
The bookmobile will be making its debut at community stops and schools in April and May. It will be on-site for each of the TCPL Summer Reading Kick-Off events and at the Tuscarawas Valley Farmer’s Market for the opening day on June 4th.
“The new bookmobile will be out and about all summer long,” said Bartley. “We look forward to continuing the Library’s tradition of Bringing the Library to You.”