Hah! We are working on turning loose on the public streets a small trailer (5 ft. wide x 8 feet long x about 65 inches high) which will carry about 800 books in shelving along the outside walls. The walls will lift up to open the shelves for business; in the middle will be stored returned books, chairs, and stuff needed for the trailer. We'll tow it with the Library's 1996 Subaru stationwagon, which will tow up to 2,000 pounds. Something like this, which the Chicago Public Library ran in 1939.

The three local Rotary Clubs are working with us on this, and it's moving forward rather quickly.

Why? I hear you asking.

Because this trailer will cost about $3,200, as opposed to about $200,000 US for a bookmobile. Because almost anyone can drive the Subaru with the trailer, and I'd have to hire AT LEAST two drivers with Commercial Drivers' Licenses for a bookmobile. Because Bookmobiles get about seven (7) miles to the gallon if you're lucky, and we do have to buy gasoline. Because housing the trailer will be less of a problem than housing a bookmobile.

Yes, there a certain drawbacks. But everything has drawbacks. When this hits the streets we will be, as far as I know, the ONLY public library in the US doing this sort of thing.