2026 has been an exciting year so far for Outreach Services here at your MCLS. We officially welcomed our new bookmobile* to the community! After months of planning, preparation, and training, the bookmobile is now out on the road and bringing library services directly to neighborhoods, schools, senior living communities, and special events throughout Muskingum County.
The return of bookmobile service has already received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community. Many longtime residents fondly remember the previous bookmobile from the 1980s, while younger visitors are experiencing a bookmobile for the very first time. One of the most rewarding parts of the experience has been seeing multiple generations step onto the bookmobile together and share that same excitement for library services.
The bookmobile carries approximately 2,000 items, depending on the collection selected for each stop. Visitors can browse books, movies, audiobooks, and children’s materials while also accessing library card registration, circulation services, and technology support. The vehicle is equipped with public WiFi access, helping us better serve areas where internet connectivity can be limited.
Since launching, we have already transitioned several existing outreach locations into full bookmobile stops, and attendance at many of these stops has increased. Community members have repeatedly described the bookmobile as a “great upgrade,” and children often ask when it will be returning to their neighborhood or school.
As your MCLS continues expanding its outreach efforts, the bookmobile will play an important role in connecting people with library resources, wherever they are. We are thrilled to bring this beloved service back to Muskingum County and look forward to many years of serving the community out on the road.
-Joshua McPeek, Outreach Services Manager
*The new bookmobile was funded in part through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.