Jefferson County, TX, Puts Brakes on Bookmobile Library
By Allison Zisko Aug 13, 2010The 80-year-old Jefferson County Library, TX, comprised of a bookmobile and a small walk-in library for roughly 33,000 residents in this Gulf Coast community, will soon be closed for good, another victim of cost-cutting in a tough economy.
The library, based in Beaumont, TX, and serving unincorporated areas of the county, will close in December, say county officials, who could no longer fund its approximately $300,000 budget. Although there is little hope for reversing the closure, an interlocal agreement with several cities may allow for continued library service to those who live outside city limits.
The decision was a tough one for county commissioners and a painful one for library director Chad Clark. They agree that the bookmobile provided a valuable service, but, Clark told LJ, "The sad thing is, a lot of people don't know we exist."
"It still serves a purpose. It's still relevant. It's still important," continued Clark who, in his four-and-a-half years as director has worked mightily to modernize the library, which is situated amongst at least six municipal public libraries.
It offers a collection of about 36,000 items, including a mini-collection of career books in a community where unemployment hovers around ten percent, as well as four computer stations with high-speed Internet access and text-reference services.
Serving the rural population
Bookmobile service originated in 1930 to serve the rural population. The 18-year-old bookmobile hits the road almost every day on a set schedule.
In May it logged more than 500 miles. In June and July it conducted a Read and Feed program alongside the county's Meals on Wheels project, making extra stops and delivering library materials to underserved children.
"We have an excellent library," said county commissioner Mark Domingue, who praised Clark and his efforts to modernize the bookmobile.
Despite Clark's work, however, the bookmobile has not evolved the way county officials had hoped-transforming from a large vehicle filled with books for visitors to peruse to a computer-based system in which a smaller van fulfilled orders made through an online catalog.
Brokering an agreement
There is hope for continued service. "In conversations with the city managers, they are receptive to making proposals to their City Councils to enter into an interlocal agreement," Domingue told LJ. Under such an agreement, the county would pay to allow county residents privileges at city-run libraries, but they would have to travel to use them.
Clark has visited schools and other groups to heighten awareness of the Jefferson County library and, although a recent random survey of bookmobile users conducted by a local university revealed that a majority wanted to keep the service, there's been little local activism.
While many residents have expressed interest in saving the library, they've not done so with any critical mass. The library does not have a Friends group. Clark is trying to be optimistic. "Necessity is the mother of invention," he said. "We'll see."
