Boston Globe Bookmobile article

I have lots to talk about. I haven't posted in a while, but with going to the ABOS Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services conference and moving/vacation/swamped at work, everything gets put on hold. But I'm working on some good stuff for this blog. You won't be disappointed once it's done.

But for now: The Boston Globe ran an article about bookmobiles in early October.
'Bookmobiles' final chapter?
A few libraries, drivers refuse to give up on relic of days gone by'
By Anna Badkhen, Globe Correspondent October 2, 2007
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/02/bookmobiles_final_chapter/

The article talks about how a bookmobile from the Beverly Public Library in Massachusetts is no longer needed because nobody goes to it and that in this day and age, with the internet and all, we don't need bookmobiles. She talks about how they are raising money to purchase a new bookmobile. And that Moroney manufacturers are not producing as many bookmobiles. She also quoted Tina (supposed to be Tena?) Wilson as saying "bookmobiles are dinosaurs and bookmobiles are fading."

I love reading about libraries and especially bookmobiles, but I have to say that I was disappointed in this article. I feel like it was poorly researched, and was just written to support the author's adgenda. But it's confusing too, because it sounds like the author is in support of the fundraising? I don't know. I do know that other bookmobile workers/librarians were upset by the article. Tena wrote:

When he quoted me saying that I hear people (i.e. library school professor) saying "bookmobiles are dinosaurs," he neglected to finish the rest of my sentence -- they aren't! When people say bookmobiles are a thing of the past, they are incorrect! Bookmobiles are as vital as they ever were -- only the target groups are evolving, adapting as societal needs change. Perhaps the only ones fading are those who are not adapting --

Bookmobiles, like libraries, have to adapt and we do. When people stop showing up at your bookmobile stops then it is time to change.

Statistics reported in the California Library Statistics:http://www.library.ca.gov/lds/librarystats.html
2003 61 Bookmobiles reported
2004 69 Bookmobiles reported
2005 63 Bookmobiles reported
2006 60 Bookmobiles reported
2007 63 Bookmobiles reported
Based on those stats bookmobiles in California have steadied. (The California Library Statistics has all sorts of good information.)

It is important to remember why we have a bookmobile and why it will still be around in the future: The patrons are evolving and most can get themselves to a library. However, there is a population of patrons that cannot get to the library; children, seniors, those with disabilities, those that don't live in an area with libraries, the low income families. Bookmobile fills in the information gap for those people. Bookmobile is ever evolving to keep up with them. Our bookmobile will never be staid or stationary. We are always on the go!