GREENFIELD — The Hancock County Public Library recently purchased a new van that will used for the library’s home delivery program, which delivers books, videos and other materials right to patrons’ doorsteps.
Library director Dave Gray said nearly half of the van’s $40,000 price tag was covered by a grant from the Indiana State Library through the American Rescue Plan Act.
The $17,600 grant was a tremendous help in acquiring the van, Gray said.
The new all-white vehicle will be used as a secondary vehicle to the library’s Bookmobile, which traditionally visits schools and community events throughout the county.
When the onset of COVID temporary closed the library and halted service in March 2020, the staff quickly pivoted and launched its home delivery service to continue serving patrons at home.
“A home delivery program was something we had been wanting to do for awhile. COVID just prompted us to get it started and turn it around quickly,” recalled Gray.
Unable to serve guests out in the community, the Bookmobile was repurposed to manage a growing number of home delivery requests.
Now that the library and local schools are again functioning as they did pre-COVID, library board members realized the need for a second vehicle to maintain the popular home delivery program once the Bookmobile returned to local schools and events.
“It became apparent that if we continue with regular home deliveries and Bookmobile deliveries that we can’t be in two places at one time, so we needed a second vehicle,” said Gray, who said the new van is the perfect size to accomodate home deliveries.
The extra vehicle will also give the library added flexibility whenever staff need to transport items like books or computers between library branches, one in Greenfield and one in New Palestine.
While the home delivery service was jump-started as a way to deliver books to patrons during the height of the COVID pandemic, Gray said it continues to be a great benefit for seniors or homebound individuals who have trouble making it into the library on their own.
“This gives us the opportunity to bring the library to them,” he said.
Library patrons wishing to access the home delivery service are instructed to use the library’s website — hcplibrary.org — to place a hold on items, marking the Bookmobile as the desired pickup location.
Patrons can also call (317) 462-5141, ext. 229 to request specific titles or provide reading interests and guidelines so a library staff member can suggest materials.
Deliveries are made on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Patrons can either return borrowed items to the library or arrange for home pick up.
For more information, visit hcplibrary.org/delivery.
