Part of Brampton Library’s budget request for 2018 includes funds for a mobile book van.

Even though Brampton is poised to get a whole bunch of library space when the new Springdale branch opens, the city still needs more of it. The city’s library space per capita isn’t comparable to other cities of a similar size. Not to mention, the new branch has faced delays despite the interim branch that served the area already being closed due to lack of funds.

A mobile book library would solve some of the issues by allowing the Brampton library system to serve areas that don’t have branches, most notably those areas on the outskirts of the city that are just starting to grow and get amenities. It would also allow the library to participate in community events and spread the word about all of the cool and free things Bramptonians can do with their library cards.

So long as the budget is approved without incident Brampton will get its mobile library van. Details are still coming together and no launch date has been decided yet, but it’s a concept that’s already working in other communities. Toronto has an active mobile library that makes stops daily. Toronto Library uses its website to let residents know where it will be and when.

A much-needed central library will be built in Brampton in conjunction with the future university’s centre for innovation, but that’s a few years out. In the meantime, the mobile van could be used as a way to serve those currently lacking access to the library system.

What do you think about the mobile library concept? Let us know in the comments below.

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