Meet The New Bookmobile Bringing Stories To Our Community

The Williston Community Library is excited to announce the arrival of the new Williams County Bookmobile, set to begin service on Tuesday, December 2.

The library’s current bookmobile, which has served the community for the past 15 years, has traveled more than 80,000 miles and circulated over 186,000 items to residents of Williams County.

On average, the bookmobile makes 35 stops per month, serving 9 towns, 3 public schools, 6 preschools, 11 daycares, and 7 senior facilities.

In recent years, the bookmobile has experienced mechanical setbacks, which limited its ability to serve the public. The new bookmobile, built by LDV Specialty Vehicles of Burlington, Wisconsin, offers improved accessibility, upgraded technology, and a more reliable vehicle for year-round travel throughout Williams County.

The new vehicle moves away from the former salmon-colored exterior, featuring a wrap designed by Jessica Delvo, owner of the Creative Dove in Williston.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this project,” said Andrea Placher, Library Director. “Countless hours of brainstorming, planning, and preparation went into bringing this vision to life. Maintaining library services for all of Williams County is no small task, but we are dedicated to serving our community.”

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A labor of love for the library staff for the past 6 years, the purchase of the bookmobile was made possible thanks to a significant investment from Williams County, along with additional support from community fundraisers, private donations, and charitable foundations, including the Williston Community Library Foundation’s Tables of Contents annual fundraiser, the Glenn Perkins Foundation, the Robert E. Herman Family Foundation, the American Petroleum Institute–Williston, WBI Energy, and a generous private donation from Eleanor Olson.

“I just want to thank everyone and anyone who had a hand in making this happen for us,” said Mobile Library Coordinator Tori Lee. “I am so honored and excited to see how much joy this new bookmobile will bring to the members of this community. This bookmobile belongs to the library, but at the end of the day it’s the community’s bookmobile, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”

An official ribbon-cutting and public unveiling is planned for Friday, December 5 at 10 a.m. at the Williston Community Library, featuring remarks from Library Director Andrea Placher and Mobile Library Coordinator Tori Lee.