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The Dalles Public Library recently celebrated the acquisition of a mammoth bus. Costing $220,000, it’s the biggest thing librarians can drive without a commercial license. The inside holds enough bookshelves to hold an estimated perhaps 1,000 volumes, internet router and other library materials. From left to right: Library board member Corliss Marsh, County Commissioner Phil Brady; Library Director Jeff Wavrunek; The Dalles Mayor Richard Mays; and library staff Kristen Dyer, Abbey Phelps, Rachel Burkart, Cori Clark, Corina Cameron, Maggie Pando, Rita Squires, Bob Shonbrun, Jill Bingham, Ambrielle Feil and Kirsten Wells.
With a diesel engine, this “state-of-the-art” Mercedes van is supposed to run up to half a million miles in its lifetime — the only further cost is maintenance, said Library Director Jeff Wavrunek of the library's new "Word Wagon."
The Dalles Public Library recently celebrated the acquisition of a mammoth bus. Costing $220,000, it’s the biggest thing librarians can drive without a commercial license. The inside holds enough bookshelves to hold an estimated perhaps 1,000 volumes, internet router and other library materials. From left to right: Library board member Corliss Marsh, County Commissioner Phil Brady; Library Director Jeff Wavrunek; The Dalles Mayor Richard Mays; and library staff Kristen Dyer, Abbey Phelps, Rachel Burkart, Cori Clark, Corina Cameron, Maggie Pando, Rita Squires, Bob Shonbrun, Jill Bingham, Ambrielle Feil and Kirsten Wells.
THE DALLES — A new, wheelchair-accessible “Word Wagon” is set to bring internet, outreach, DVDs, audiobooks and a rotating collection of physical books to Wasco County’s more remote and underserved communities.
The Dalles Public Library recently celebrated the acquisition of a mammoth bus. Costing $220,000, it’s the biggest thing librarians can drive without a commercial license. The inside holds enough bookshelves to hold an estimated perhaps 1,000 volumes, internet router and other library materials.
With a diesel engine, this “state-of-the-art” Mercedes van is supposed to run up to half a million miles in its lifetime — the only further cost is maintenance, said library Director Jeff Wavrunek.
Outreach Librarian Kristen Dyer plans to drive many of those miles, with 13 stops a month in communities underserved for library services, like Wamic, Celilo, Pine Grove, Antelope and Shaniko. Each stop will last a minimum of two hours, in afternoon or evening. The program kicks off in November with a party at each stop.
If remote patrons place a hold on any of Oregon’s Sage Library System materials via a computer, Dyer can deliver the goods. If people don’t have internet service, Dyer can help them access the online collection of ebooks, Library2Go, on the Word Wagon’s internet. There, patrons can place holds and download their books for off-line reading between the Word Wagon’s visits. She’ll bring library card applications, craft kits and program info for residents who can’t, or don’t, drive long distances to the libraries of Sage System.
An awning and television even allow librarians to show demonstrations and how-to videos.
“We’ll hopefully save folks time and money, and bring a wealth of materials to neighborhoods that wouldn’t maybe always be able to get them otherwise,” Dyer said. She’s starting with a collection of the newest browsing material for all ages, changing the selection monthly, and said she’ll haul out specific authors or genres on request.
With a diesel engine, this “state-of-the-art” Mercedes van is supposed to run up to half a million miles in its lifetime — the only further cost is maintenance, said Library Director Jeff Wavrunek of the library's new "Word Wagon."
Flora Gibson photo
Asked why this project is important to her, Dyer said, “I’ve lived in rural areas most of my adult life, and I love the peace and quiet. I love seeing animals in my backyard, and the clear skies — all of those things I love. But I do also like to stay informed ... I do art and reading and writing and all of those things, and having a library for me has been critical as a human, as a parent, a kid.”
Now she’s sharing that around. “I think a well-educated community is vital for our survival and for our growth as a county,” Dyer finished.
The outreach librarian always thought of herself as an introvert, she said. “But as far as outreach services go, I can’t see myself doing anything else ... I love meeting people where they are and providing services ... it’s the most fun I’ve had, working.”
The schedule of stops, and any cancellations, will be posted on Facebook, on a homepage that’s not quite set up yet. Dyer expects few weather-related cancellations in the sturdy new bookmobile.
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