SIDNEY -- Staff at Sidney Public Library have a lofty goal: to purchase a new bookmobile, one that is more accessible to the public and mechanically dependable.

Sidney Library Director Amanda Eastin says the current bookmobile is past its time of service.

"Our current bookmobile is a 1994 International school bus that was converted to be a bookmobile. The average life expectancy of that vehicle is about 15 years, and we've been using it for about 30. So, we've definitely taken really good care of it. We've been able to love and use it all over the county. But it is becoming difficult to maintain," Eastin said.

She said the bookmobile has needed service including a new radiator, an exhaust leak repaired, hoses replaced, injectors replaced, the head gasket cracked. To complicate things, parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find, due in part to age, which increases the cost of the repair.

"At this point, repairs to the current vehicle have begun to cost more than the vehicle might actually be worth. So what we are hoping to do is raise a total of $500,000, which sounds like a lot, but we would like to get a new or almost new bookmobile that will last us another 30 years, and keep this incredibly important program going," Eastin said. 

She said Sidney's bookmobile is one of eight bookmobile programs left in the state of Nebraska. She said managing a bookmobile program can be costly with the vehicle, a place to store it, maintenance. She added that bookmobile programs are more common in rural areas. Residents in urban areas have libraries closer to the homes.

Eastin is proposing the purchase of a custom coach from Farber Specialty Vehicles in Ohio. The Farber van would come with step-in height, commercial grade flooring, roof-top air conditioning, gasoline-powered and a nine-speed automatic transmission and an electric bi-fold  entry door with ramp.

She said she is actively seeking grants to fund the bookmobile project. She is hoping to purchase the new vehicle within two years.

For more information or to donate to the effort, contact Eastin at 308-254-3110 or [email protected].