Donations, books needed before service can start back up
San Benito County has been without a bookmobile since 2003. Now
more than four years later county librarian Nora Conte is
determined to bring it back.
Donations, books needed before service can start back up
San Benito County has been without a bookmobile since 2003. Now more than four years later county librarian Nora Conte is determined to bring it back.
“It’s going to take the library, the agencies, and the board of supervisors all working in a caring collaborative,” Conte said. “We need to get the word out.”
Due to budget cuts, the original service was suspended in April 2003.
“The old bookmobile was considered unsafe and it was cheaper to stop the service than to buy another one,” Conte said.
The cost of a new bookmobile is about $215,000 dollars, according to Conte.
“That cost is just for the bookmobile alone,” Conte said. “There is a cost for the technology and book collection and staff as well.”
Ideally, the bookmobile will have a staff of more than three including a driver, librarian and volunteers. Conte would like to see it equipped with two computer stations.
“For students who don’t have a computer at home and don’t have access to the library,” Conte said. “It is good for students who are seeking higher levels of education – they can search college catalogs online. It presents a whole world of possibilities.”
The computers will be useful for the adults as well, Conte said.
“For parents who don’t have access to the Internet, they can search and post their resumes online,” Conte said.
When Conte took over the county librarian position last October, she heard from community members how much the bookmobile was needed.
“There is a tremendous need for the bookmobile,” Conte said. “People from 5 years old to 100 can use it. There is a lifeline of possibilities.”
The bookmobile will serve a growing community of more than 57,000 people. Conte would like to have the bookmobile visit the hospitals, senior centers and farmlands in the community.
“We need to go back to the rural schools and the senior citizens center,” Conte said. “We need to take the bookmobile out where individuals can’t have access to the library.”
The original bookmobile traveled out to the rural schools in the County including Bitterwater-Tully in King City and Jefferson in Paicines. The drive to Bitterwater-Tully is more than 75 miles and Jefferson is almost an hour away from Hollister.
“I miss the bookmobile and a lot of students miss the bookmobile,” said Tim Williams, a teacher and principal at Bitterwater-Tully.
Williams teaches fourth through eighth graders and worked at the school when they still had the bookmobile service.
“The students were enthusiastic about new materials coming to the school every week,” Williams said. “We can go to the library in King City, but it was nice to have the bookmobile. My students love to read.”
People can donate books to the Friends of The San Benito County Free Library for the Bookmobile. A drop-off box is available at the library on Fifth Street in Hollister.
“We are looking at a good two years of working together and getting funding together for the new bookmobile,” Conte said.
A new collection of books will be needed to stock the new bookmobile.
“We also need money to adequately update the library and the bookmobile,” Conte said. “We can’t take books from the library because then when people come in, there won’t be anything for them to check out. We need to have adequate selections for both the library and bookmobile.”
Local businesses that donate funds to the bookmobile can have their advertisements printed on the side of the vehicle.
“We can place the names of the major donors in business on the back of the bookmobile,” Conte said. “It will be beneficial to both of us.”
Conte has faith that the bookmobile will be back.
“I know that this will happen,” Conte said. “This community has a great history of caring and placing importance on their library. These elements lead me to believe that we will be successful. If all of us work together we can get this done.”
Paperbacks and hardcovers in good condition, may be donated at the San Benito County Free Library’s front desk, at 470 5th St. in Hollister. Donations for the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library may be donated in the book bin inside the library.
For more information on donating books or money for the bookmobile, please call 636-4107.
