Residents of Lincoln and Pelham who live far from public libraries will soon have library services coming right to their doorsteps with the introduction of a new bookmobile starting at the end of May.
The Lincoln Pelham Public Library is rolling out its first bookmobile, a transformed Ford Transit 350 van capable of carrying about 2,000 books and other library materials for lending.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Julie Andrews, CEO of the library, adding that the concept of a bookmobile first took shape three years ago when the library began using a red van, affectionately called “Rosie,” to provide outreach programs at parks, daycare centers, and senior residences. This van carried bins of materials for activities and games, and during that time, it became clear that residents wanted to borrow books and other materials during these visits.
“People really wanted to borrow materials from us, so the idea for the bookmobile was born,” Andrews explained. The bookmobile will serve areas without easy access to libraries, ensuring that more residents can access library services.
Gabby Lahaie, the bookmobile coordinator and driver, shared her excitement for the upcoming venture. “You’ll be seeing my face quite a lot in the coming months,” Lahaie said. Some shelving inside the bookmobile is on wheels and can be rolled out for people who are unable to access the van. The bookmobile will also feature an awning and free Wi-Fi service.
“We’ll have books, DVDs, audiobooks—pretty much everything we offer in our brick-and-mortar locations,” Lahaie added. Residents will need a library card, which will be available on-site at no charge. “Everything is free,” she confirmed.
The bookmobile will be operational year-round, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will also be present at special events. Its first public appearance will be during the Fenwick Lions Club carnival parade on May 23 at Centennial Park. The bookmobile will then appear at Fleming Centre in Beamsville on May 24 for a “Meet the Fleet” event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..
While the full route details are still being finalized, Lahaie mentioned the bookmobile will visit 12 locations, including social agencies, legions, churches, and businesses, every two weeks. The first stop is scheduled for Community Care of West Niagara’s Beamsville location on May 28 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The bookmobile and its amenities, which cost more than $100,000, were funded by the towns of Lincoln and Pelham, along with donations from the David S. Howes Fund – Niagara Community Foundation, Desjardins Financial Services, and local fundraising efforts.
To get the community involved, the library will hold a bookmobile naming contest from May 22 to June 30. The bookmobile schedule and contest details will be available on the library’s website, lppl.ca, starting May 20.
