Mobile Library Rolling Out To North Shore

Jessica Goolsby
Wednesday - October 21, 2009
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Kahuku Library’s book-mobile is now bringing books, CDs and Internet access to the far reaches of the North Shore, thanks to a five-year effort by local businesses and community members to give new life and purpose to an old tour bus. Photo from Fran Corcoran.

Kahuku Library is letting the good times roll (literally) after finally releasing the parking break Oct. 12 on its long-awaited bookmobile.

The coastal route stretches from Waimea Falls to Kaaawa, a span of more than 35 miles, bringing literature and other learning materials to those who can’t visit the library regularly.

“It’s been five years since conception to our first run,“said branch manager Fran Corcoran. “The vehicle is a product of local businesses and their generosity, and I know it will serve the community very well and they will be proud of their endorsement.“Service include lending books, CD and audio books, 15 minutes of computer/Internet access and printouts (at 15 cents per page). DVD lending is not yet available, and patrons must have library cards.

Manned by children’s librarian Lea Domingo, the bookmobile will rotate routes every Monday that’s not a holiday between Groups 1, 2 and 3. Group 1 is Kahuku Elderly Housing, BYU-HC Family Housing and Hauula Civic Center. Group 2 is Sunset Beach Christian and Kuilima Estates, and Group 3 includes Ponds at Punaluu, Hanohano Apartments and Kaaawa Elementary School. Times vary for each location, and stops at Laie Shopping Center and Pupukea Beach Park are pending.


 

“My responsibilities have been mainly to help coordinate the stop locations and figuring out how to squeeze a public library into a tiny mobile,“Domingo said.“It is still a work in progress and hopefully we will be able to add more services to patrons as we figure out how to provide them.”

“With all the community involvement in this endeavor we are sure the service will be answering the needs of our patrons for years to come,” Corcoran added.

Turtle Bay, for example, had a silent auction for the bookmobile at its 2005 Seafood Festival and continues to share proceeds from the auction every year. Moa Mahe donated the vehicle itself on behalf of PPF Hawaii in


Hauula. Pierce Construction of Laie then came on board, doing carpentry and shelving for a discounted fee. The work was completed last December. Private donors and local businesses like Hawaii Digital Sign Pro and the state library administration then helped transform the former tour bus into a mini-library on wheels.

For more information, call 293-8935.

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