For the first time in more than 25 years the library will have a new bookmobile! A bookmobile is not just a van that carries books, but an actual ‘mini library’ on wheels. The new vehicle will reach out community members who are unable to physically make it to the library, and will work with different community partners to reach some of these individuals.
The first Paris Bourbon county library bookmobile became operational in November of 1967; it was purchased for $7500 and carried a basic book collection of 1800 volumes. The bookmobile also provided educational films and long play recordings. Mrs. Charles Leeds of Millersburg, its first librarian, believed the films and recordings would offer “additional cultural service to the community.” An extensive two week rotating schedule took the vehicle to schools and all areas of the county. Requests for service could be provided by calling the library, just as our current bookmobile will offer.
On one such outing, when Mrs. Leeds found herself with a jammed door, the local fire department came to the rescue and fixed a metal plate that had worked loose. She was back in operation in minutes thanks to community cooperation.
Catesby Simpson drove a later version of the vehicle from 1977 to 1988, and is probably the last living bookmobile librarian in Bourbon County. She was preceded by Jean Tetrick and followed by Bonnie Linville, who drove until the bookmobile was decommissioned between 2001-2002, and the current new vehicle will carry on a tradition of community outreach in Bourbon County.
Sources: The Paris Daily Enterprise, Nov. 2 and Nov. 7, 1967. Paris Bourbon County Library