Harvest, Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Record, Monrovia, News, Unincorporated Madison County
Books needed for BookMobile
Outreach Department librarian Mandy Pinyan and courier George Channell prepare to board the BookMobile, a service of Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – In summer 2016, the new BookMobile made its debut in the Tennessee Valley with rave reviews. However, a new collection of books needs to line the shelves of the on-the-road-again service.
After mechanical failure, the original BookMobile went out of commission in 2012. Fortunately, the library on wheels reincarnated in 2016 as a new 2015 Ford Transit. A grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS) in part funded the vehicle.
The primary beneficiaries for the BookMobile are people who live in geographically isolated locations, at-risk children and senior citizens. Reaching these individuals helps fulfill the goal for the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library to be accessible to everyone.
The BookMobile offers bestsellers, fiction, nonfiction, DVDs, music CDs, children’s materials and large-print books for a wide sample of items that a patron can find at any of the 12 branch library buildings.
A new book collection is needed for the new BookMobile, “which required an initial investment of $25,000 — an amount that has not been met,” Laura McPhail said. McPhail is Director of Public Relations. “Ongoing financial support for the BookMobile is also necessary for periodic collection updates.”
In addition, the mobile service entails costs for staffing, vehicle maintenance and fuel.
The BookMobile represents the library at outdoor events, rallies and festivals, while providing services for the public at these events. “We offer sponsorship opportunities for local businesses who want high visibility via a vehicle sporting their company’s logo across Madison County in exchange for funds to keep the service going,” McPhail said. Individual gifts certainly are welcomed.
Donations for BookMobile services and books are tax-deductible.
The BookMobile will visit community groups in Madison County. To schedule a visit, call the library’s Outreach Department at 256-532-5961 or email outreach@hmcpl.org.
For information about Huntsville Library Foundation, email foundation@hmcpl.org or visit huntsvillelibraryfoundation.org.
