PORTLAND — The Portland Public Library will celebrate the arrival of its new Book Mobile on Tuesday.
The 24-foot long vehicle will carry 1,500 books and other library items at any one time and is intended to provide outreach to children and families in neighborhoods that are not served by a branch library. It will be equipped with solar panels, wireless Internet capabilities and sides that open up for additional book and material storage and programming.
A ribbon-cutting and open house will be held Tuesday, April 2, at noon in Monument Square.
“This is a critical development in the life of the Library and how we create a presence in each city neighborhood,” Library Executive Director Steve Podgajny said in a news release Wednesday.
The Book Mobile also will reach individuals who lack transportation or the time to travel, are experiencing health problems, are intimidated by the prospect of going to the library or who may not yet be readers, according to the release.
It also will be in Monument Square during the First Friday Art Walk on April 5th from 5-8 p.m. A more formal summer schedule will be available soon at www.portlandlibrary.com.
The Book Mobile was purchased through Library Funds and a major gift by KeyBank.
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