The Woodford County Public Library’s new bookmobile is scheduled to resume outreach services for patrons living in nursing homes, children in daycares and schools, as well as outlying communities beginning today.

The library had discontinued its bookmobile service in January 2015 because the cost of repairing its aging bookmobile (purchased in 2004) was deemed too expensive. A decision to purchase a new bookmobile for about $47,000 was made by the Woodford County Library District Board after patrons voiced their support for resuming the outreach service.

“They really wanted the service back and so we listened,” said library Director Karen Kasacavage.

Added library district Board President Peggy Miller, “The community let us know loud and clear that they wanted a bookmobile. So we were happy to be able to get a new bookmobile and get it on the road.”

The new bookmobile – a Mercedes Sprinter model recommended to libraries by the Kentucky Department for Libraries – was delivered last October. It has taken the past three months to outfit the bookmobile with custom shelving (at a cost of about $11,000) and to professionally wrap its exterior with the library’s custom graphic design (about $2,300).

“It’s an improved vehicle,” said Kasacavage, “and I’d say we’re good for the next 15 years, hopefully.” In addition to having more headroom and being about two-and-a-half-feet longer than its predecessor, the library’s new bookmobile has a heating and cooling system so patrons are more comfortable when looking for books and other materials.

“They can check out books. They can check out movies,” said bookmobile librarian Bev Caywood. “There are all types of books. We try to cover everything – fiction, nonfiction, children’s (books)…” Before making selections to restock the bookmobile’s shelves, Caywood said, “You listen to the patron. You hear what they want. You hear what they like.”

In addition to bringing its library-on-wheels to patrons, story-time programs come to schools and daycares in the community.

“People are always so happy to see you,” said bookmobile librarian Kate Noye. “You have little kids that are just fascinated” when they watch the bookmobile’s doors open before seeing the array of reading materials on its bookshelves.

“Everybody likes the bookmobile,” added Caywood.

Anyone who would like the outreach service to come to them can telephone the library at 873-5191 for availability during its six-day schedule of twice-monthly stops.

(Interesting fact: Kentucky has more bookmobiles on the road than any other state.)