By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Just shy of a year after it was announced, the Hays Public Library's bookmobile is providing services in Hays.
"People have hopefully seen it," said Callie Kolacny, Hays Public Library communications coordinator. "It's been a couple of weeks now its been out and about."
The bookmobile will operate on a regular schedule, but as the service develops, some changes to the route might be made.
"Each week, it changes a little bit," Kolacny said. "We are making some adjustments as we figure things out."
The schedule is available on the HPL website and will be updated as changes are made.
In addition to carrying books, the vehicle carries many of the same multimedia materials available at the HPL.
"The bookmobile is amazing, and there is so much stuff on it," Kolacny said. "It's a mobile library, literally."
Books, videos and audiobooks for all ages are stocked in the vehicle, with services like library card requests and access to the library database available.
It is also a mobile hotspot.
"It's a very good selection," Kolacny said. "It provides a lot of the same services as what you can get at the actual library."
And patrons can request additional items for the bookmobile that will be included the next time it is at the location.
"I can't believe all of the stuff that they put in it," Kolacny said. "It's really cool."
The Hays Chamber will host a ribbon-cutting for the bookmobile at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, in the HPL parking lot.
"We invite the community to come out and hang out with us during the ribbon-cutting and get a chance to tour the bookmobile," Kolacny said.
A major remodel is on the way at the HPL
At that time, library officials will also announce information about an upcoming remodel at the HPL facility.
"Hopefully early August, we are going to start this fairly large remodeling project, and we have some exciting announcements that we will be making," Kolacny said.
No major services will be removed, she said, noting the remodel will focus on repurposing some of the spaces in the facility to make them more functional.
"We are moving closer to being in that construction phase," Kolacny said.
The plans were made after community input was solicited last year.
"We used all of that input to decide what needed to happen, and the architects came up with some great plans," Kolacny said. "We are really excited about how things are going to look when they are done."