Find us in your community!
Visit us at one of our regular bookmobile stops! At these Pop-up Libraries, you will find a selection of library materials available for checkout. Library access on a smaller and portable scale!
Week 1: May 26-31 Week 2: June 2-7 Week 3: June 9-14
Sponsors
Thanks to Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary, the Branch County Community Foundation, and Coldwater Solar / Apex Clean Energy, The Friends of the Lucille E. Dearth Union Twp. Branch Library, and numerous individual donors for their support of this project!
Request the Bookmobile
Is there a special event that you think the Bookmobile would be just the thing for? Or maybe you have an idea for a new stop on our route? Head over to our request form to let us know!
Why a Bookmobile?
Branch County library users last had access to a bookmobile from 1938-1966. In 2018, the Branch District Library Board undertook a new strategic plan, and during our community conversations a number of people talked of their fond memories of the last bookmobile when they were younger and how they felt it could make a positive impact on the community today.
One of the goals in the 2018 BDL Strategic Plan was to offer the community wide-ranging and convenient access to library services, breaking down barriers to access whenever possible, and the BDL Board decided that a bookmobile would be a perfect way to address this goal, along with pop-up libraries, Library by Mail, digital services, and more.
BDL originally planned on conducting a large fund-raising push to fund the purchase of a bookmobile; however, budget surpluses during the covid pandemic made it possible for the library to purchase the vehicle with no fundraising needed. Generous local organizations (see above) have helped to fund the purchase of materials for the bookmobile.
See also the historical timeline of this bookmobile project.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bookmobile
"What is the bookmobile?" -- Think of our Bookmobile as a small library, but this one is on wheels and travels around the county!
"Can I buy the books? Are these books for free?" -- Sorry, these books are not for sale. However, you can take them home with a valid Branch District Library card. You do still need to return the books when they are due just like any other library books.
"Is the Bookmobile just for kids?" -- Our Bookmobile is for all ages, not just for kids! We carry library items for adults, too!
"Is the Bookmobile's collection exclusive? Can I check out a Bookmobile book without having to visit the Bookmobile?" -- The collection on the Bookmobile works just like the collection at our other branches. If you find an item you want to check out, but you don't want to travel and visit the Bookmobile, you can place a hold on the item and have it delivered to your local library branch!
"How do I know where to find the Bookmobile? When will it be back in my area?" -- Our schedule rotates every three weeks. We know that's a little difficult to keep track of, so we will post the basic schedule as well as any route cancellations on this page. Please also watch our social media pages for weekly posts detailing where you can find the bookmobile for the coming week.
Other Outreach Services
Can't come to one of our branches or stops? Try one of these services!
- In-person deliveries -- Call your local library and ask to be set up for deliveries to your front door.
- Library by Mail
