MUSKEGON, MI – Muskegon Area District Library’s (MADL) new Bookmobile has arrived and will start to provide mobile library services in August. The 36-ft. long, 7-ft. wide, 10-ft tall custom-built Bookmobile is fully equipped with high-demand library materials and is a mobile hotspot with free Wi-Fi. The new Bookmobile design is distinctive, bright and joyful and is all about the Library’s services.

“We’re thrilled to bring this beloved service back to our community in a new flexible and accessible way,” says Kelly Richards, Director. “We look forward to partnering with local organizations to reach new segments of the population who have limited access to library services,” he said. The Bookmobile will visit rural and outlying areas of the county, where library services do not exist.

The inaugural public opening will be at the Norton Shores Arts & Drafts Festival on Saturday, August 21 at Ross Park. It will be located in the Children’s Activity Area with the Norton Shores Library booth. A public open house will be scheduled at a later time.

 “We listened to our community during our 2016 millage campaign and planned to resurrect a brand-new Bookmobile service,” says Doug Hughes, MADL Board Chair. “Early literacy and learning opportunities for the public, are our core values in providing library services.”

The last Muskegon Bookmobile ceased to operate in December, 2004 following budget cuts when the Library operated under the County. The first Muskegon County Bookmobile service began in 1940 and there were several different bookmobiles over the years.