TRADITIONAL LIBRARIES TURNING TO ADULT BOOKMOBILES TO BOOST MEMBERSHIP

Septum County's new $300,000 bookmobile

While many traditional libraries are experiencing dwindling membership numbers, others are thriving, thanks to a new twist on an old tradition.  

Bookmobiles, which were once common, have faded away due to increase costs and declining popularity, and are rapidly being replaced by new adult bookmobiles.

"We were skeptical when we started our first adult bookmobile route two years ago," said Septum County Library Director Dichondra Mellenkamp.  "But it's been great for business.  The number of female patrons remained static, but our male membership has jumped 800-percent!  The old bookmobiles were usually old school buses, but now we have a $300,000 coach with hundreds of books, videos and an private movie lounge area."

Adult bookmobile
patron "Vince"

Parksplug spoke with one patron, who identified himself only as Vince, as he stepped out of the bookmobile carrying a plain paper bag.  "I like it," he said.  "I borrowed two books and bought a...uh...novelty.  You can't borrow those, you have to buy them."  

Vince asked us not to publish his photograph (left) and then slipped away into a darkened alley.