Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
New Mexico State Library’s three bookmobiles, based in Tucumcari, Los Lunas and Cimarron, are back on the road with limited services.
The bookmobiles will support the 2020 Census count efforts as well as provide pickup and drop off services for books ordered online or over the phone.
Following COVID-safe practices, patrons will be unable to browse inside the bookmobiles for the time being, but bookmobile staff will prepare bags of books for no-contact drop-offs at select bookmobile stops.
Routes will be limited until it is safe to travel to all counties.
“New Mexico is a very large state, but we believe every New Mexican should have access to library services no matter where they live, and we are thrilled to be able to get books back in the hands of rural residents,” State Librarian Eli Guinnee said.
The bookmobile program has served rural communities across New Mexico since 1956. Each bookmobile can carry up to 4,000 books.
Between the three bookmobiles, there are more than 4,100 registered library patrons.
For questions about updates to bookmobile services and safety procedures, patrons can go to nmstatelibrary.org/direct-and-rural-services or call Bookmobile East at (575) 461-1206.
Bookmobiles are funded through capital outlay funds awarded by the New Mexico State Legislature, with ongoing operations funded via the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.