Bookmobile services rural NM

Staff writer

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For 58 years, the bookmobile program has been serving rural communities in New Mexico by bringing books and other resources to areas where they are generally not available.

The New Mexico State Library Rural Bookmobile East is one of three bookmobiles that serve over 15,000 people statewide, bringing them 86,000 items, including books, ebooks, government documents and magazines that were circulated in 2013.

The Bookmobile East serves rural communities in Curry, Quay, Roosevelt, Eddy, Guadalupe, Chavez, Lincoln and Otero County, bringing books and other resources to rural citizens.

Mary Kaminski, the public information officer for the New Mexico State Library, said the program averages 13 patrons at each stop. The bookmobile stops at least once a month at the towns.

“Considering the size of some of the towns, 13 is a good number,” Kaminski said.

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The New Mexico the New Mexico State Library Rural Bookmobile East is one of three New Mexico has three bookmobiles that serve more than 15,000 people statewide.

Roosevelt County has stops in Causey, Pep and Elida and has 78 registered patrons with more than 1,700 circulation.

Curry County has two stops, Grady and Melrose, and has 173 patrons and more than 2,400 items circulated last year.

On the east bookmobile’s route, Quay County has the most registered patrons with 383. In 2013, the county recorded 7,300 items circulated last year. Also, Quay County has more stops than Roosevelt and Curry counties with six — Logan, San Jon, Nara Visa, Forrest, Quay and House.

San Jon resident Darrell Musick said he enjoys when the bookmobile comes into town.

“I get to order books and it’s really great,” Musick said.

The bookmobile also brings activities like children’s summer reading programs to rural communities. If there is a school in the area of a bookmobile stop, the librarian will provide activities, like science projects.

Kaminski said the bookmobile also tries to provide services, like inter-library loans, that normal libraries deliver.

“Many of our patrons don’t have access to items that would be readily available in a more urban town,” Kaminski said. “Our librarians really try to get items that are requested to the patrons.”

The program is supported by a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act. The total cost of the program, according to Kaminski, is $578,510.

The bookmobile will begin its last tour of the year today in Causey, ending at the Newkirk Post Office on Dec. 18.