‘MoLi’ ready to roll out to Charlotte neighborhoods, ease access to library materials
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is bringing books, Chromebooks and other learning tools closer to residents’ homes with its new bookmobile.
MoLi, pronounced “Molly,” aims to cut down barriers to library materials and services by visiting neighborhoods in Charlotte whose residents might not have the resources or ability to physically or virtually go to one of the library’s 20 branches.
“Many areas ... such as Nations Ford Road, Thomasboro, Freedom Drive ... do not have convenient access to a physical library and connecting virtually may not be an option,” assistant director of outreach Meryle Leonard said in a news release.
The 33-foot-long bookmobile will offer access to adult, teen and children’s collections, material checkouts and returns, free Wi-Fi, public-use Chromebooks and library card services.
“The Library’s mission is to improve lives and build a stronger community, which means reaching every community member in every part of Mecklenburg County,” chief library services officer Caitlin Moen said in the release.
MoLi has a wheelchair lift for accessibility, a side awning for outdoor programming, eight Chromebooks and the capacity to hold up to 2,400 physical materials including books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs and DVDs, the library said.
The city introduced its first bookmobile in December 1937, when James Gourley was director of the Charlotte Public Library. In 1949, using funding from Alcohol and Beverage Control, the library purchased two bookmobiles — including one that would be used in the Black community. Both vehicles were retired in 1966 because they became too expensive to operate, according to the library’s website.
MoLi will begin service on Jan. 18 and will be available on a three-week rotating schedule, available on the library website.
A ribbon-cutting and community celebration is planned for Jan. 29 at the Eastway Regional Recreation Center, 150 Eastway Park Drive, from 10 a.m. to noon.
This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 4:38 PM.
