It’s the moment the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) has been waiting for since August 2020. Our new, state-of-the-art bookmobile has arrived and is ready to meet the residents of Aurora! All the planning and stress finally has paid off and we welcome this beautiful mobile library to our fleet. To celebrate, the Library is planning a debut tour around Aurora to show off our new addition! We hope you’ll join us to say hello to our new bookmobile and wish a happy retirement to our current vehicle.
The current bookmobile has been in operation for 20 years and is in dire condition. Multiple trips to the repair shop over the last few years resulted in missed bookmobile stops for customers. Outreach Services staff member and bookmobile driver, Michael Pracht, is looking forward to the future with the new bookmobile.
He said, “A lot of great memories were made with the previous bookmobile, but it has been a challenge with a lot of time being spent off road due to mechanical issues. We’re really excited to have an updated, reliable vehicle, to be able to continue serving the people of Aurora for years to come, and to start creating new memories.” Indeed, the future is big and bright for our Library customers!
Speaking of big, the new bookmobile is more than a foot-and-a-half taller than the current vehicle and measures 42 feet long! It was delivered from Matthews Specialty Vehicles in North Carolina earlier this month and greeted by an eager crowd in the Santori Library parking lot. One of the fancy, new, features is a customized Xantrex battery system powered by rooftop solar panels. Additionally, accessibility features such as an easy-access wheelchair lift, extra wide aisles, and a height-leveling system at the entrance make the new bookmobile easier to use for all levels of mobility. The interior offers computers, a printer/scanner, face-out shelving for easy browsing, and soft seating areas. A custom wrap designed by the APLD communications team and chosen by community vote, adorns the exterior of the bookmobile. Foundation manager, Jordan Lesniak, said, “the bookmobile is an important component of the Aurora Public Library District and has been for many years. Everyone is looking forward to this new, state of the art, vehicle being on the road to better serve the people of Aurora.” We’re wasting no time putting it to work! The bookmobile is embarking on its debut tour with multiple stops around Aurora.
There will be plenty of opportunities to get a sneak peek before the bookmobile starts its regular service Saturday, Nov. 4 and the first stop includes a special guest! Curtis, from the local Good Morning Aurora podcast will broadcast live when he joins APLD staff members for a ride along, Monday, Oct. 23. They’ll end up at Family Focus (550 2nd Avenue) at approximately 9 a.m. where the public is welcome to climb aboard. Then grab your costumes, because Tuesdays are for Halloween story times! The bookmobile will be at the Santori Library Tuesday, Oct. 24 and the Eola Road Branch Tuesday, Oct. 31 for story time and visits.
Wednesday, Oct. 25, it will make stops at both of our branches on the East and West Sides of Aurora. From 10 a.m. to noon it will be parked at the West Branch and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the bookmobile will be open outside the Eola Road Branch. If you’re downtown for the trick-or-treating event Saturday, Oct. 28, be sure to grab a giveaway from the Bookmobile in addition to your candy! Finally, join us when we say farewell to the 2003 bookmobile at the Winter Lights parade at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17.
We can’t wait to celebrate with the community and share this exciting experience with Aurora! For more information, including the full list of Debut Tour events, please visit our website at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/Bookmobile or contact the library at 630-264-4117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.