PCPL requesting public input for delivery vehicle

The Putnam County Public Library Board of Trustees is asking for public input about replacing the Bookmobile.

The board will meet in special session Wednesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Room in the library to discuss the future of the delivery program.

Library Director Grier Carson said there is no set agenda for the meeting. The purpose is to seek input from the community before the library commits to purchasing a vehicle to replace the Bookmobile.

"We've been looking at a few options for delivery vans based on what other libraries and businesses tend to use these days," Carson said.

In an effort to spend the library's money locally they have been leaning toward buying from York GM, but they want input from the public before making the final decision.

The Bookmobile was parked indefinitely at the beginning of March. The board cited the cost of continuing the services and a decline in usage as a major push to stop the decades-long program that delivered materials to individuals and schools throughout the county.

Carson said at the March meeting that delivery services will continue, but with a major change. The Bookmobile was often stocked with a variety of titles, and patrons could look through the items.

The change in service is expected to focus on patrons visiting the library's website to browse and designate titles for delivery or call the library to request titles.

They had expected a short time period where the delivery services would be unavailable, but the library has continued to deliver items throughout the county. Library employee Jill Hawk has continued to deliver items using her personal vehicle in the absence of a replacement vehicle.

Carson said Hawk was adamant about finding a way to avoid the hiatus.

The board noted its commitment to replacing the Bookmobile in a more cost-efficient matter. Carson said at the meeting that the specifics had not yet been worked out as to how or what would replace the Bookmobile.