I live a few minutes walk from the Jones Library in Amherst. The library has announced expansion plans designed to improve patron access, especially for people with disabilities and mobility challenges.
I agree that it is vitally important to make our public library accessible to all members of the community.
There is, however, another way to improve library access that can be achieved at modest cost and with potentially significant impact — a bookmobile. Not simply a truck converted to carry books, but an up-to-date, full-service extension of the library.
Call it a “mobile library,” a full-size van or small truck would carry the library’s services to communities that have the least access to those services. The mobile library would provide books and other media, of course, but it could do much more.
Circulating through lower-income neighborhoods, senior communities and housing complexes, the mobile library could provide internet access through computer terminals carried on board, children’s reading circles, a broad selection of books in Spanish and other languages. It could carry a supply of tax and other official forms.
The mobile library would come equipped with an extendable awning and a few light folding chairs and tables to become a pop-up community center for children’s story hours, presentations about library resources, literacy workshops, or just sitting for a while with a good book.
I note that Jones Library board of trustees candidate Terry Johnson had made a similar proposal in 2017.
In community listening circles, organizers of the Common Share Food Co-op startup have learned that there are many people who do not have ready access to a car. They rely instead on buses and other forms of transportation. And even if one has a car, no amount of renovation to the Jones Library is going to make downtown parking a snap. A mobile library could address these and other challenges.
It’s great to be able to meet people at the library. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the library could meet people where they live as well?
Alex Kent
Amherst