New: Holy Cross Helps Worcester Bring Back Mobile Libraries

Email to a friend Permalink

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

The College of the Holy Cross and The City of Worcester announced an agreement today that will put a mobile library back on city streets for the first time since 1991.

The new state-of-the-art mobile library will feature professional librarians, intuitive touch-screen computers and an extensive collection of books and resources. As a part of the agreement, Holy Cross will contribute $80,000 annually for fuel, maintenance and upkeep over the next five years. City Manager Michael O’Brien said he appreciates the part Holy Cross is playing in this project, and sees the mobile library as just the first step.

“We could not have undertaken this effort without the partnership of Holy Cross,” O’Brien said. “The vision is also to break through the walls of the past and work towards ‘One Library,’ where integration of our public libraries and public schools creates one seamless resource.”

City Manager Michael O’Brien and Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., President of Holy Cross, in front of the mobile library.

The project began in 2006 when The City of Worcester purchased a bookmobile from Fitchburg. The Worcester Public Library Foundation then reached out to local businesses, and eventually Holy Cross, about a possible partnership to restore the vehicle. The College responded positively to the Foundation, and talks began about funding.

When the vehicle debuts in May, it will bring back to Worcester streets something that used to be commonplace. Starting in the 1940’s, bookmobiles served Worcester, and helped library book circulation rise from under 10,000 to over 136,000 between 1941 and 1954. These former staples have been off the streets since a lack of funding stopped the program in 1991. Now, thanks to the agreement between The City and Holy Cross, at least one will be back on the streets.

“Holy Cross is proud and delighted to partner with the City of Worcester and bring an educational opportunity directly to students, families, and all residents of our community,” said Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., President of Holy Cross. “Having access to books and tools for discovery is essential to lifelong learning, and we are pleased to enhance our many partnerships with the City of Worcester with what will be an exceptional resource.”