by Michael Kunzinger –
Wednesday, April 10 is National Bookmobile Day. To celebrate, the Middlesex County Public Library (MCPL) system invites the public to two open house events featuring MCPL’s newly acquired bookmobile.
On April 10, the bookmobile is slated to be parked and open for visitors at MCPL’s Deltaville branch 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and 2-5 p.m. at MCPL’s Urbanna branch. The Deltaville branch is at 35 Lovers Lane and the Urbanna branch is at 150 Grace St.
Visitors will be able to tour the special MCPL mini van and see its many features, including:
- Copy and printing services.
- Wifi.
- Computers.
- A collection of hundreds of books and DVDs for all age levels and subjects.
Coffee and refreshments will be served at both locations and visitors will have the opportunity to sign up for library cards.
There are more than 600 bookmobiles and mobile libraries in the U.S., serving both rural communities and major cities. They once were more common in Virginia than brick and mortar libraries, since they provided easy access for rural populations.
Middlesex acquired its bookmobile in fall 2023 and in coming months it will commence a regular schedule of stops in various locations, including retirement communities, the farmers markets at Urbanna and Holly Point, and remote communities towards the upper end of Middlesex County.
For information, email yourmiddlesexlibrary@gmail.com.
