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Plainfield continues history of mobile reading

PLAINFIELD, Ind (WISH) – In 1916, Plainfield Public Library made history with introducing Hoosiers to a bookmobile. 100 years later, the library has made history again.

With the ring of a bell, and whistle of a pinwheel a bike ushered a new era for the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library.

“The maiden voyage is going to be fabulous,” Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library director Rachel Ziegler said.

Starting Wednesday, the book bike will allow neighbors to choose from more than 100 titles. The first of its kind in the state.

“We’re going to be having it at events like the lunch munches, farmer’s market, soccer games,” Ziegler said.

A bookmobile isn’t new to the area. Library history and genealogy services manager, Reann Poray, said their organization introduced Hoosiers to the idea of a mobile facility.

“[The] bookmobile made its debut in July of 1916, and we’re going to make our debut today, June of 2016,” Poray said. “So almost 100 years exactly.”

The first bookmobile averaged 7,500 rentals per year. “It was created for about $600 dollars from a converted car that they had,” Poray said.

100 years ago, the high-tech feature for the bookmobile was the fact it was motorized.

For the book bike, there’s a Wi-Fi hotspot. This way, you can browse books and the web.

“I think that that’s a constant need and demand,” Ziegler said. “Especially when people are out at the trails or out at events when they’re out in the community, maybe they don’t have access, so we can get that to them.”

They might be separated by 100 years, but the staff is excited to take mobile reading to another level.

“We were kind of groundbreaking in 1916 with this first bookmobile that could offer service to patrons,” Poray said. “Now in 2016 we have this awesome book bike, which is going to do exactly the same thing.”

In order to check out a bike, you’ll need your library card. To learn more about it, click here.