Bookmobile - 507.328.2302
The Rochester Public Library Bookmobile is dedicated to providing access to information, literature, and ideas to members of the community who are unable to use the main library due to geographic, transportation, economic or other barriers. The Bookmobile regularly carries more than 4,500 items, including adult and children’s books, audiobooks, magazines and DVDs. It has the highest circulation of any bookmobile in the state of Minnesota; in addition to visiting neighborhoods and schools within the city limits, it also makes weekly stops in Byron, Oronoco and other locations in Olmsted county. The bookmobile is handicapped accessible and has a wheel chair lift.
For more information about the bookmobile or to request a bookmobile stop in your neighborhood, please contact the library at 507.328.2302.
Bookmobile FAQ
Criteria for Bookmobile Stop Selection
The bookmobile establishes three (3) schedules throughout the year - Spring, Summer, Fall/Winter. Petitions for the addition of a new bookmobile stop must be received by the following dates in order to be considered for the respective schedule: November 15 - Winter/Spring, April 15 - Summer, July 15 - Fall.
The following criteria are used in evaluating bookmobile stops.
Adding a Stop
- When a new bookmobile stop coordinates with other library goals such as targeting early childhood literacy efforts, outreach to non-traditional users, new immigrant populations, etc.
- When there are new growth in housing and multiple requests for bookmobile services.
- When there is no other bookmobile stop nearby.
- Special emphasis is given to requests in the County and areas remote from the main library.
Dropping a Stop
- Poor circulation and efforts over time have not increased circulation.
- A Bookmobile stop must be dropped in favor of a place where there is a greater need.
- A Bookmobile stop is too close to other stops or the main
library and there is no compelling reason why users cannot
use those facilities.
If an item in the library catalog is showing "Available" on the Bookmobile, can I assume it is on the Bookmobile when it visits my neighborhood?
Even when the online catalog shows that the Bookmobile copy of an item is available, that does not always mean the item is available ON the bookmobile. A significant percentage of our Bookmobile collection is in our storeroom (at the Main Library) because we do not have enough space on the Bookmobile to carry our entire Bookmobile collection at one time.
If you want to make sure an item is available on the Bookmobile when it visits your area feel free to reserve the item at least one day in advance of your stop. This may be done online in the catalog (make sure to choose "Bookmobile" as the pickup location) or by phone at 507.328.2305.
Conversely, if you're at the Main Library and see a Bookmobile copy "available", you can always check with the staff at the Fiction, Movies & Music desk on first floor to see if the available copy is in the Bookmobile storeroom (or the Bookmobile itself if it is not out on the road) so you can check it out the same day.
Mission Statement
The Rochester Public Library Bookmobile is dedicated to providing access to information, literature, and ideas to members of the community who are unable to use the main library due to geographic, transportation, economic or other barriers.
Core Values
The Rochester Public Library Bookmobile embraces the core values of the Rochester Public library. In addition:
The bookmobile is committed to serving as an effective extension of the Rochester Public Library by providing library materials and timely personal services to communities, neighborhoods and individuals.
The bookmobile is committed to promoting early childhood literacy development by providing services and age appropriate materials to daycare providers and elementary schools. The bookmobile also believes that school media centers are essential for supporting the curriculum needs of a school; the bookmobile will not be used to supplant those efforts. The bookmobile provides complementary services to schools and will target schools in areas where there are economic, geographic, or other barriers to students= access to the main library.
Last updated: 12/09/2009