The only public library bookmobile in western Massachusetts is back on the road for a third season.
In its first two years of operation, more than 22,400 print books, ebooks, books-on-tape, and movies on DVD have been checked out by 16,000 patrons of the Chicopee Library’s bookmobile at stops in neighborhood parks, at community organizations and during special events.
"We can't believe how happy the public is to see us," said Nancy Contois, the library director.
The bookmobile, which first hit the road in the summer of 2015, is a customized vehicle that can hold 500-600 books and DVDs. There are iPads for patrons to use while visiting the bookmobile and wi-fi for people to download books to their own readers, or go to the library website to request a book for delivery on the next bookmobile visit.
The bookmobile, which has an automatic lift that makes it accessible to people with disabilities, keeps a year round schedule of weekly or biweekly stops to locations including the RiverMills Senior Center and the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club.
When school is out, the schedule expands to bring the bookmobile to more children.
Contois said more than 250 children registered for a summer reading program through the bookmobile.
Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos said it had long been his goal to bring a bookmobile to Chicopee. He described it as a cost-effective way to bring library services to every neighborhood in the city.
" It's just been a win-win," said Kos.
The bookmobile came about with a pledge from the Polish National Credit Union to donate $75,000 over a five-year period. Last month, the bank paid the city the third $15,000 installment.
After presenting a $15,000 check for the bookmobile to Mayor Kos in 2016, PNCU President and CEO Jim Kelley said he was thrilled the mobile library is such a big hit.
"We give a lot of careful thought to our community giving, and this one is a no-brainer," said Kelley.
The bookmobile schedule can be found on the Chicopee library’s website.
