The bookmobile is back on the road, but the library board is starting to look for a replacement for the 13-year-old vehicle.
Wood County District Public Library Director Michael Penrod gave an update to the board of trustees at Monday’s meeting.
Frank’s Automotive was a big help, he said, in locating service and parts.
When the bookmobile went down, Penrod and staff decided to look at how the vehicle is providing service. There was also a deep dive into outreach services, he said.
About 40% of use is through delivery, actually taking books and materials to community members, Penrod said. Another 40% is visits to daycare, preschools and schools.
The other 20% is in community stops.
A committee also visited Toledo and Findlay libraries and looked at their vehicles.
“What are the roles and what are the functions that we need to be looking for, because our bookmobile is 13 years old,” Penrod said. “We actually had a conversation — do we need a bookmobile?
“We were considering every single outcome.”
The committee decided that outreach for the service district — which includes more than Bowling Green and Walbridge, where the physical libraries are located — is critical, Penrod said.
Another must for a vehicle is a lift for items to get into a vehicle.
“Do we want to buy something? It’s been 14 years with this vehicle,” said board member Brian Paskvan.
Penrod said the process should be started because they will be at the mercy of the supply chain.
After the meeting, he said that it could be two years before a bookmobile arrives, after it is ordered.
The price could be $300,000, Penrod said.
The board has been setting aside some funds, planning to purchase one in two years, he said.
Board President Ken Frisch said that the committee will do more research and make a recommendation at a future meeting.
Also at the meeting, Penrod said that the library’s main parking lot will be closed for a few weeks in the fall, in conjunction with work on the new city building.
“At some point in September, we will lose half of our parking lot for two or three weeks. And then we’ll lose all of our parking lot as they grind and repave the entire thing,” he said.
The Carter House parking lot will be available, Penrod said.
“It will be a big inconvenience, but will be well worth it in the end,” he said.
