Quincy Public Library kicks off fundraising campaign to bring back Bookmobile

QUINCY — The Quincy Public Library hopes to bring back its Bookmobile to inspire a whole new generation of readers. 

“We are the preliminary stages of bringing this invaluable resource back to Quincy,” Director Kathleen Helsabeck said. “We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we are excited to share our plans with the public.”

The mobile library will feature shelves full of the most popular current materials, high-speed Internet and other features. It enables the library to host classes and events like story times, digital literacy classes and professional development workshops of different sizes. The mobile library will help the Quincy Public Library create community, bridge technology gaps, reinforce education and create connections for the people of Quincy. 

The mobile library will:

• provide library patrons who may not have access the same free educational resources and one-on-one services offered at the brick-and-mortar location. 
• offer access to technology. The vehicle will be equipped with the Internet, laptops and tablets to use on the road.
• offer access to the entire collection at library. The vehicle will be limited in space, it will have the capacity to bring any of our resources to patrons. Users can request specific titles to be brought to the stops.
• foster literacy of all kinds for all ages.
• provide a place for neighborhoods and communities to gather. 
• support culture and creativity through programs and events.
• develop lifelong literacy and engage families in reading.

“Our goal is to significantly increase access to library resources by having a fully functional library branch on wheels, with all the services you would find in our brick and mortar branch,” Helsabeck said. “This will help us expand outreach services to those who can’t visit the library. We are excited to kick off our fundraising efforts.”

QPL has started applying for grants and is kicking off a donor development campaign to support the new investment. The library hopes to raise approximately $400,000 to support the initial investment of the vehicle and collection. 

“We expect to spend the next year or so fundraising for the vehicle,” Helsabeck said. “Once we have the financial needs met, it will take approximately a year to manufacture the vehicle and get it on the road.”

To learn more about the project or donate, call 217-223-1309.