Bloomington library board discusses Bookmobile stops

Posted on May 7, 2015
Bookmobile stops
Bloomington’s mayor recently raised concerns about the number of Bookmobile stops on the city’s west side. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Public Library Board is examining the stops the bookmobile makes after Mayor Tari Renner raised concerns about limited stops on the west side.

Library staff explained to the board Thursday night the stops are chosen based on criteria, such as proximity to the library. Staff added there are no stops within two miles of the library, which is located closer to the west side, and that’s because those stops have not been historically successful.

Board member Emily Kelahan said it is obvious the west side has fewer stops and Thursday was just the first step in evaluating the issue.

“There’s a lot about how they make decisions about where the Bookmobile stops that we don’t yet understand,” said Kelahan. “I think we are at the very beginning of a long conversation about how we make these decisions.”

Kelahan said she’s “pretty” confident the Bookmobile stop criteria will eventually be revised.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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