Bookmobile Page!
The Crittenden County Public Library bookmobile is available to bring books, cassettes, and a limited number of requested videos to the people, young and old, of Crittenden County. The following schedule is currently in use, and if you would like to have the bookmobile come to your house or would like to visit the bookmobile when it is in your community, please contact us for exact times and places! We would love to see you!
****BREAKING NEWS!!****
New Bookmobile Takes to the Road!!
On the Road Again: Bookmobile is Back
Crittenden Press, May 1, 2008
By Daryl K. Tabor, Managing Editor
Doctors don’t make house calls anymore, but the public library still does.
Regular bookmobile service in Crittenden County returns next week in style. Tabby Padgett, the operator of the public library’s bookmobile for the last two years, will be sporting a new 2007 Dodge van when she makes her rounds beginning Tuesday.
“We’ve got all new stuff,” Padgett said.
Padgett hasn’t maintained a regular bookmobile route since last summer, when the library’s old box-type truck effectively died. The tires, generator and radiator were all failing, “not to mention the exhaust leak that filtered into the truck,” Padgett added.
In fact, on one occasion she even hurriedly began unpacking the 17-year-old bookmobile when she thought it was about to blow.
“That day, we thought it was on fire,” Padgett said last week.
The new bookmobile should alleviate those concerns. The $60,000 vehicle was purchased with a $35,000 state grant with the balance from library savings.
Crittenden County Public Library Director Regina Merrick said the library’s bookmobile service accounts for about 700 transactions per month, or 20 percent of the facility’s total usage. Since August 2007, Padgett has been using Merrick’s personal vehicle to maintain an “emergency” bookmobile route.
When the bookmobile resumes full service Tuesday, complete with colorful graphics, gray and blue trim on the white body and identifying lettering, the more than 180 regular borrowers will once again be able to count on Padgett’s visit every other week.
Next week, she will begin with a visit to the communities of Shady Grove and Mattoon on Tuesday, as well as stops in Marion at the nursing home, and Bellville Manor and Creekside apartment complexes. Two days later, she’s heading out to the Dycusburg, Frances and New Salem areas and she’ll hit Youth Camp Road.
It’s not just books Padgett is anxious to get back to delivering, she’s got lots of friends she’s been missing.
“For some people, I’m the only one they see during the week,” she said.
The second week of May, Padgett will make one of her favorite stops – at the two day care facilities in Marion.
“The kids really like it,” she said. “They start screaming when I pull up.”
Besides that new-car smell, users will find a few changes. Because the van is considerably smaller than the old box-type truck, Padgett is not able to carry as many books, videos and DVDs as before. She is having to limit the number of checkouts by an individual per stop to 15.
“We’ve had some people who would check out 50 books for the two weeks,” she said.
Padgett welcomes calls or e-mails from patrons with special requests. She can be reached at 965-3354 or ccbookmobile@hotmail.com.
*Special thanks to Daryl Tabor and Chris Evans of the Crittenden Press for sharing this article with us!
Bookmobile patrons - watch for your "Bookmobile Newsletter" in the mail!
Bookmobile news and views from our Bookmobile/Outreach Librarian, Tabby Padgett. Stay tuned for library history, a chance to help "name the bookmobile," and important info just for you!
Bookmobile Schedule - 2 week rotation
Week one
Tuesday - Town, Evenstart
Wednesday - Tiny Tot Daycare, Quality Daycare
Thursday - Sheridan, Irma, Tolu, Crittenden Springs Rd.
Week two
Tuesday - Shady Grove, Mattoon, Town, Nursing Home
Thursday - Frances, Dycusburg, New Salem
Last Updated - May 15, 2008
Crittenden County Public Library
204 W. Carlisle St.
Marion, KY 42064
(270) 965-3354