New bookmobile expands services for Paso Robles community
New bookmobile will allow the library to expand community outreach efforts
– The Paso Robles City Library officially accepted its first bookmobile at the latest Paso Robles City Council meeting. The vehicle, a Ford Transit 350 van, was purchased and gifted by the Paso Robles Library Foundation, with help from the Friends of the Paso Robles Library.
At the Nov. 19 meeting, city council members voted to accept the vehicle into the city’s fleet. The vehicle, valued at $74,735, was purchased at no initial cost to the city. In addition to the purchase, the foundation and Friends of the Paso Robles Library will pay to retrofit the van with an accessible lift, shelving, an exterior wrap, and a mobile book collection.
By accepting the gift, the city of Paso Robles agreed to cover the future costs of maintenance, insurance, and fuel, which are already included in the city’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget.
“The city library’s new bookmobile will allow us to expand our community outreach efforts and usher in a new era of public service across Paso Robles,” said Outreach Services Librarian Taylor Worsham. “We’re excited to continue collaborating with local organizations, form new partnerships, and provide mobile services. We will now be able to bring the library’s resources outside of its physical walls, including public bookmobile stops, visits to schools and other groups, and free programming for all ages.”
Before the bookmobile begins service, retrofits must be completed. Those interested in supporting the retrofits and the launch of the bookmobile can find more information on the library foundation’s website at prlibraryfoundation.com.
“We are so excited to help launch mobile library service in Paso Robles,” said Paso Robles Library Foundation President Alicia DiGrazia. “Please consider supporting this cause and help us meet our goal of launching service in time for next year’s summer reading program.”
