After much research and deliberation it appears as though bookmobiles are more necessary in some parts of the province than others. After looking at “Urban Vs. Rural” it is rather obvious that Halifax is struggling to keep their bookmobile running, and with so many branches within a small area of the province it seems that a bookmobile is not as vital. On the contrary, in the rural and more remote areas of Nova Scotia, such as the Annapolis Valley and South Shore, a bookmobile seems to remain both a privilege and a luxury in some parts. It is much more difficult for patrons to reach a library branch in such places, so offering the convenience of a mobile library makes much more sense and is still necessary. In addtion, in light of the continuing cuts to school libraries in Nova Scotia, bookmobiles are being called on more and more to supply information and resources to students who may not be able to access the variety and quantity of materials at their own school libraries.
These mobile library services will continue to be modified over time as patrons’ needs change and as books themselves transition from fewer print books to more electronic versions. The trend towards sustainability has potential to bring about some future modifications to the vehicles, such as fuel efficiency and “greener” sources of power to run the lights and computers on board. A solar powered inverter was already suggested as a possibility when the AVRL submitted an idea to the Pepsi Refresh Project in 2010. (Check out their video submission below.)
As well, here’s a more modern twist on the old favourite: the digital bookmobile. In the United States they outfitted an 18-wheeler that has travelled around the country promoting digital materials including audiobooks, eBooks, music and video. This 78-foot tractor trailer houses an “interactive learning environment” with several HDTVs, sound systems, computer stations with wireless Internet access, and a variety of portable devices to sample. The more traditional bookmobile, sponsored by digital media distributer OverDrive, Inc., raises awareness of the types of available media offered for download through a website called the “Virtual Branch.”
Since mobile book services are not provincially governed or funded, it makes logical sense to leave the bookmobile’s fate in the hands of the individual county public libraries.
Will bookmobiles survive the inevitable evolution into the digital age, or will they become nothing more than a nostalgic piece of history? Perhaps one of the keys to success would be to find sponsors to fund the program and maintain the vehicles. With the introduction of the digital bookmobile there’s certainly potential for combining an old idea with new technology, making bookmobiles a more sustainable service in Nova Scotia.
References
Annapolis Valley Regional Library Pepsi Refresh. Retrieved June 16, 2011, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6-1n-eN1Jw&feature=related
OverDrive, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2011 from http://www.overdrive.com/
Pictures are from the Annapolis Valley Regional Library Facebook page. URL: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.399774224319.174102.288938714319#!/pages/Annapolis-Valley-Bookmobile-Books-by-Mail/288938714319
Clip from URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6-1n-eN1Jw&feature=related
Pictures are from the Annapolis Valley Regional Library Facebook page. URL: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.399774224319.174102.288938714319#!/pages/Annapolis-Valley-Bookmobile-Books-by-Mail/288938714319
Clip from URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6-1n-eN1Jw&feature=related
Blog Authors:
Kirstin Daley
Kirstin Daley
Andrea Dawe
Jaime Dennison
Tarah Farrow
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