Original Question, SDC Responses

Original Question (1/3/11):

John DeBacher, WI SDC 

One of our libraries had operated two bookmobiles. Then, as one got less road-worthy, it was left parked at a single location (the library then reported it as an “other service outlet” on our annual report). Now, due to budget considerations, fuel costs, etc., both bookmobiles are parked at permanent locations and are referred to as “satellite outlets”:

http://www.fdlpl.org/aboutus.html#satellites

I (and the library director) are inclined to declare them branches. They have fixed locations (separate quarters—even their own electrical meters, phones, T-1 lines, and billing address), organized collections, paid staff, and regularly scheduled hours.

I don’t see them as bookmobiles anymore, since our bible says that a bookmobile is “a traveling branch library,” and these don’t travel. Does that make sense and has anyone else faced this situation?

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SDC Responses:

Tell them it only counts as a bookmobile if it has wheels.  If the wheels haven't been removed yet, someone can go let the air out of the tires. - Terri Assaf, MI

Makes sense to me. - Ron Winner, IL

Oregon has one of these too.  I call it a branch, not a bookmobile, as it is on blocks, and located in the parking lot of a service station.   It meets all the criteria of a branch – staff, collection, normal hours, has utilities, and is operated just like a site-built branch.  I think of it kinda like a mobile home - - - not really mobile, not site-built. - Ann Reed, OR

Since libraries are being hit by financial tsunamis, perhaps we can call these Financially Embattled Moribund Automotive (FEMA) libraries. - Bruce Pomerantz, MN