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Leesville, La. —
Towns and communities throughout Vernon Parish will soon have an improved way to access the Vernon Parish Library's collections.
The library will be rolling out its new mobile branch, a custom-designed 35-foot bookmobile, to Vernon Parish communities in the coming weeks.
The $300,000 unit was funded through bonds that will also be funding the new Vernon Parish Jail.
Librarian Howard Coy said that the vehicle, which has been under construction for over a year, came a month early when it was delivered on Dec. 19.
"This was a wonderful Christmas present," Coy said.
The new unit includes four laptops with 3G internet access as well as a color printer and copier. Two of the laptops will be connected to the library's main circulation system so that staff members can help patrons check out books or view outstanding fines instantly.
"It'll be just like they're checking out a book at the main desk of the library," Coy said.
The other two laptops will be available for public use.
The mobile branch also includes three roof mounted air conditioners and heater, an electric awning on the right hand side, and the capacity for over 2,500 books. The collection of books in the mobile branch will change at least twice a year, Coy said. Patrons will also have the ability to request specific items from the library's main branch. Two staff members will also be at the mobile branch at all times to assist patrons.
Coy said that the plan is to have the mobile branch at a different location every day of the week; the unit will travel to one location in the morning, Coy said, before traveling to another in the afternoons. That schedule will stay consistent each week, he said. However, exact locations will not be determined until the library performs a test run later this month.
The test run will also allow the library to determine the best locations for maximum internet access, Coy said.
"Tentatively, we think we'll have it everywhere," he said.
The new mobile branch replaces the former Vernon Parish Bookmobile, which served the parish for 16 years. Coy said that the old bookmobile's engine was "on its last legs" and that it was becoming increasingly expensive to locate parts for the vehicle.
Towns and communities throughout Vernon Parish will soon have an improved way to access the Vernon Parish Library's collections.
The library will be rolling out its new mobile branch, a custom-designed 35-foot bookmobile, to Vernon Parish communities in the coming weeks.
The $300,000 unit was funded through bonds that will also be funding the new Vernon Parish Jail.
Librarian Howard Coy said that the vehicle, which has been under construction for over a year, came a month early when it was delivered on Dec. 19.
"This was a wonderful Christmas present," Coy said.
The new unit includes four laptops with 3G internet access as well as a color printer and copier. Two of the laptops will be connected to the library's main circulation system so that staff members can help patrons check out books or view outstanding fines instantly.
"It'll be just like they're checking out a book at the main desk of the library," Coy said.
The other two laptops will be available for public use.
The mobile branch also includes three roof mounted air conditioners and heater, an electric awning on the right hand side, and the capacity for over 2,500 books. The collection of books in the mobile branch will change at least twice a year, Coy said. Patrons will also have the ability to request specific items from the library's main branch. Two staff members will also be at the mobile branch at all times to assist patrons.
Coy said that the plan is to have the mobile branch at a different location every day of the week; the unit will travel to one location in the morning, Coy said, before traveling to another in the afternoons. That schedule will stay consistent each week, he said. However, exact locations will not be determined until the library performs a test run later this month.
The test run will also allow the library to determine the best locations for maximum internet access, Coy said.
"Tentatively, we think we'll have it everywhere," he said.
The new mobile branch replaces the former Vernon Parish Bookmobile, which served the parish for 16 years. Coy said that the old bookmobile's engine was "on its last legs" and that it was becoming increasingly expensive to locate parts for the vehicle.
