Bookmobile History

1939 - Stations were established in Mt. Cory, Benton Ridge, Rawson, Van Buren, Vanlue, Mt. Blanchard and Arcadia to give more direct service.  Collections were changed every three weeks.  Books were also provided to hospital patients that same year.  “All patients free of contagious diseases had the privilege of selecting books from a collection taken out.” 

Through the years, school visits continued.  Books were loaded into a four-door tan Nash Rambler and driven to each school and nearly all city and county schools every six weeks. 

1940 - The first official recommendation for a Bookmobile system in Hancock County.  The idea was to extend the library into the county. 

1950’s - Federal funding became available for the schools not receiving library materials so most schools asked to be cut from the schedule. 

1968 - Regular visits to shut-ins and the county jail were added to the schedule and a Plymouth station wagon was purchased.  When the doors and tailgate were opened, patrons could browse.  A station wagon was used until 1977. 

1977 - A pop-top van was purchased by the library and for the first time, patrons could actually stand p in the vehicle.  This was the first attempt at having a bookmobile.  A pop-top van was used until 1990.

 1990 - A new bookmobile was purchased.  The $73,501 purchase was approved by the Board of Trustees in November 1989.  Less than two months later, the vehicle was delivered.  This 28-foot long bookmobile was manufactured by Barth, Inc.  This bookmobile was capable of holding twice as many materials and, it had interior lights, heat and air conditioning. 

2005 - This bookmobile is about 6 ft. longer than the previous bookmobile and has an automated step for patrons.  It holds around 4,300 items.  The weekly bookmobile stops are:  Arcadia, Van Buren, Vanlue, Mt. Blanchard, Mt. Cory, Benton Ridge, Jenera and Rawson. 

2006 - The FHCPL donated its 16-year old bookmobile (the 1990 model) to the Cameron Parish Public Library in Cameron, La., which was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.