On Wednesday, Jan. 10, the City of Mountain View and Mountain View Public Library unveiled a new all-electric bookmobile, which will soon hit the streets while providing Library services to those who live, work and attend school in our community.
The new vehicle introduces an updated service model that will positively impact our diverse community. The vehicle’s size allows it to easily move through Mountain View’s narrow streets to provide Library services at previously unreachable places. With increased mobility, Library staff will be able to increase service locations based on proximity to underserved communities.
“The bookmobile program has been a welcome presence in our community for almost 60 years,” said Mayor Pat Showalter. “I am so proud that this will continue well into the future and help bring services and materials to those who may not have access to our Library. The bookmobile is a symbol of the City Council’s commitment towards a more sustainable future and creating a community for all.”
The vehicle’s removable carts can be rolled outside so people of all abilities and groups of any size can access library materials. These removable carts allow Library staff to efficiently curate specific library materials for each service location based on community need. Built-in features on the vehicle include WiFi hotspot capability, an awning, an outdoor speaker system and a wheelchair lift.
The vehicle will also operate fully on electricity, representing one of the first all-electric vehicles of its kind for size, weight and capacity. It produces zero tailpipe emissions and can be charged using renewable energy sources, contributing to the City’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2005 levels by 2030.
“This new bookmobile is a testament to our organization’s vision and innovative thinking as we continue to advance more sustainable, carbon neutral practices for the Mountain View of tomorrow,” said City Manager Kimbra McCarthy.
The vehicle’s creation, design and delivery were paid, in part, thanks to a $100,000 donation from the Google Community Grants Fund.
"We've called Mountain View home for more than two decades, and as we continue to grow here, it's important to us that we pursue opportunities that positively impact our local community," said Javier González, head of Google’s local government affairs and public policy in California. "Google and Google.org, our philanthropic arm, have been longtime supporters of the work the City of Mountain View and Mountain View Public Library are doing to increase access to the incredible resources it provides community members, and we're excited to help get a new bookmobile on the road to further promote learning."
For more information on the bookmobile, visit MountainView.gov/Bookmobile.
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CONTACT: Brian Babcock, Deputy Communications Officer, 650-903-6539 or Brian.Babcock@mountainview.gov
