Those who live in remote areas or struggle to get out of their residence no longer have to worry about obtaining books now that the Park County Library Outreach Van is in commission.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the van took place Saturday at the Park County Library. The Powell Chamber of Commerce, Park County Outreach Coordinator Francie Coe, Park County Library Director Karen Horner, Park County Library board chair Pat Stuart and Powell  Library Manager Faith Johnson were present at the event.

“The goal of the outreach van is to take it everywhere here in Park County,” Coe said. “It’s to reach people in the retirement homes and people that don’t have to come to the library, people in school, just to really bring the experience out into the community.”

Coe said that of the areas in the community that could utilize the van, she most looks forward to the retirement homes. 

“The older population really like the idea of an outreach van,” Coe said. “And it really brings great memories back for them. Because I always hear ‘Oh, I remember when the bookmobile would come through.’”

Initial visits with the van have been a success. Coe said residents are excited to come out and see the van.

Stuart added the van has come after years of discussion by the Park County Library Foundation and is a “big commitment for the library.”

“The foundation agreed to take it on and to finance it,” Stuart said.  “And I think they deserve great credit, because our population is spread out over a huge area and so many people don’t have access to library services.”

Stuart added that in addition to schools, retirement homes and health care facilities, the van will also provide access for “far flung” county communities like Clark and Frannie.

Community members can keep an eye out for the van and in the warmer months expect ‘pop-up’ events at the parks and farmers’ markets.