This year marks a remarkable milestone for our community — 69 years of bookmobile service in Mid-Missouri!
It all began in 1957, when the Missouri State Library funded a trial fleet of bookmobiles, with one of those being based at the Columbia Public Library. Those first two years proved so successful that the library districts of Columbia, Boone, Callaway and Howard Counties joined together to establish the Daniel Boone Regional Library, with the bookmobile as a cornerstone service for our rural neighbors. So you could say that it was bookmobiles that created the Daniel Boone Regional Library system!
Today, our two bookmobiles continue that legacy. Our big bookmobile, sometimes called “Bookmobile, Senior,” is built on a 33-foot Bluebird bus chassis and carries up to 4,000 items on board to check out. The bookmobile visits Auxvasse, Hallsville, Harrisburg, Rocheport, Sturgeon, as well as Battle Crossing and North Rangeline in Columbia, serving both regulars as well as new library users each month. Bookmobile, Jr., our 26-foot vehicle with a collection tailored to children and early childhood educators, makes monthly stops at 25 licensed childcare centers across Boone and Callaway Counties and also appears at community events throughout the year. Together these vehicles serve more than 1,500 adults and children every month. For many of our patrons, the bookmobile isn’t just a convenient option, it is their only access to library services.
I want to be transparent with you about a challenge we are facing. Bookmobile, Senior was purchased in 2001, and, after more than two decades of service, its major systems are beginning to fail with increased frequency. This past winter alone, electrical issues forced us to cancel 12 service stops. The communities that rely on these stops were left without this vital service. Bookmobile, Jr., purchased in 2010, is aging as well. Replacing these two vehicles is not just a want, it is a need. We are currently actively researching options, and we anticipate replacing these vehicles with newer, more fuel efficient, more accessible models at a cost of approximately $1 million.
The good news is that we are not facing this alone. The Daniel Boone Regional Library Foundation has stepped up to lead fundraising efforts for the replacement of both vehicles, and we are grateful for their support in ensuring that the DBRL bookmobiles will keep on rollin’ just as they have for 69 years.
We will keep you informed as this effort moves forward. If you would like to donate to the Foundation for this endeavor, please visit www.dbrl.org/giving. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of your library.