ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The Baldwin County Library Cooperative needs a new bookmobile and is asking for the community's help. Beginning April 20, the library will offer over a thousand books for sale to the public. The books have been removed from the old bookmobile and proceeds from the sale will go toward the purchase of a new bookmobile.

“The Baldwin County Bookmobile has been serving the citizens of Baldwin County for the last 43 years,” said Liz Reed, director. “The current bookmobile is 18 years old and, after spending almost $8,000 on repairs last year, we have decided to retire it and are raising money to buy another one.”

The plans for the new bookmobile are to carry a smaller, more focused, collection of books that can be easily changed to satisfy the needs of that day's patrons. When the bookmobile visits retirement facilities, it will be stocked with large print books and when it visits day care centers the collection will include children's books. Future plans for the bookmobile are to equip it with three computers, a printer and internet access and offer GED preparation and career counseling to the program.

“Our old bookmobile carried 5,000 books,” said Reed. “The library staff examined each one to determine if it should be kept or sold. The result is a fantastic collection of books that we are pleased to offer in our book sale.”

The Baldwin County Library Cooperative received a Library Service and Technology Act Vehicle Grant which will match any money raised for the new bookmobile. From now until June 15, when a patron spends $10 at the book sale, the LSTA grant will match that $10 resulting in a $20 donation toward the new bookmobile.

The sale will be held at the Baldwin County Library Cooperative located in the Baldwin County Commission Central Annex at 22251 Palmer St. in Robertsdale. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Baldwin County Library Cooperative, Inc., is a charitable non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. For more information contact Reed at 251-970-4010.