Coming Soon To Your Neighborhood: Jackson’s New Bookmobile
Having a hard time getting to one of Jackson’s libraries? With the ribbon-cutting of a new Bookmobile with the Jackson Hinds Library System, the library is now coming to residents around the city.
On Saturday, June 6, the Jackson Hinds Public Library System held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Jackson’s new Bookmobile. The effort is a major step toward making library services more accessible to the Jackson community by bringing books, technology, and other library services directly to neighborhoods and events.
Jeanne Williams, Executive Director of the Jackson Hinds Public Library, opened her remarks with an acknowledgment of her first anniversary in the role, and thanked staff and supporters for making the Bookmobile possible. She described it as a long-awaited addition that addresses gaps in service, particularly in areas without a physical library. She said the ribbon-cutting was the culmination of a seven-year process and credited system deputy director Morgan Hedglin with leading much of the procurement. The Jackson Friends of the Library also provided crucial financial support.
“We’re really excited about it,” Williams said. “Even if you can’t get to one of our physical locations, we still have all services available with us here. You can make copies, get a library card, access the internet…it’s a full-service library on wheels.”
The vehicle features durable, colorful shelving that can be rolled out and is fully ADA accessible with a rear ramp. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the Bookmobile, however, is the library staff that travels with it. Williams was quick to emphasize that modern libraries offer far more than books.
“We spend a good bit of our day as staff helping patrons with technology,” she said. “We help people build résumés, pay their bills, file legal documents, and access e-government sites. We’re a community connector in a world that’s becoming lonelier and lonelier.” She praised new Bookmobile manager Ursley Quinn (previously of the Mississippi Museum of Art) for ensuring the Bookmobile is appropriately stocked and staffed so patrons can get the help they need.
Neighborhood associations and community planners are welcome to reserve the Bookmobile for their next event by filling out this form which can be found on the bookmobile’s website, plan a neighborhood or community “library day” in your area or simply watch the calendar to see where the Bookmobile is heading next at jhlibrary.com. It’s already been on hand for events at the Clinton Farmers Market and Key Elementary School, with its next stop planned for the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science’s Snake Day.