By Sarah Rae

Library to bicycle books to the community

Jun 29, 2016 | 5:00 PM

The library is trying out a new way to bring its love of reading to the community. The North Battleford Library debuted its new bicycle Wednesday morning.

Head librarian Amanda Foster said she and fellow library staff have been looking for different ways to reach the community, since many people struggle to physically get to the building.

“It’s also a way to just get people’s attention,” she said. “I don’t think people quite expect to see that.”

Foster said staff members got the idea from “bookmobiles” they’ve seen at other libraries, which can be quite elaborate. She said there were even pre-made library bicycles available from the United States, but those weren’t quite in the budget and may have been too big.

The library’s bicycle, locally made by a welding teacher and a bicycle mechanic, has a white wooden box attached to the front with a North Battleford Public Library logo on it. The lid of the box opens up into shelves to display books or other library materials.

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Foster said she’s definitely planning on taking it to some playgrounds and possibly the farmers market. She also hopes to be able to ride it in the local parade as a way to promote the library.

“Basically if the public wants it somewhere, we’ll try to make it happen, but we’re going to try and stay within North Battleford,” she said.

She said library staff will be able to lend books to the public from the bicycle and even help people sign up for library cards.
 

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae. Concerns regarding this story can be addressed to News Director Geoff Smith at 306-446-6397.