White Pigeon Township Library officials said a critical change to its preferred bookmobile vehicle will save about $95,000.
During a special board meeting last week, library officials approved a change in their bookmobile vehicle from a Sprinter van to a pickup-and-trailer combination.
The move means a revised fundraising total from what was $279,000 to about $184,400. As of April 4, the library had secured more than $126,000 – nearly 70 percent of its goal.
Director Perri Saunders said the decision to go with a gas-powered 2024 Chevrolet 2500HD Silverado and trailer was made after seeing the benefits of such a tandem used for a portable, mobile library.
Saunders said the goal is to have the truck and trailer ready to roll by October. The bookmobile would be in use year-round, she said.
Library officials have a quote of about $60,000 for the Silverado. Meanwhile, B&M Motorsports gave a quote of nearly the same amount for an outfitted, 24-foot cargo trailer.
Florida-based Acore Shelving provided a quote of about $17,400 for custom shelving, components and all interior modifications to create a viable bookmobile concept inside the 7-foot-high, 8-foot-wide trailer.
More information about the fundraiser, how to contribute and the bookmobile project in general can be found on the library’s website: www.whitepigeonlibrary.org.