NB 375
April 5, 2006
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The York Library Region began operating a newly constructed bookmobile this week after receiving $135,000 in provincial funding.
Post-Secondary Education and Training Minister Jody Carr and Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud made the announcement today.
"This project has been a true collaboration with New Brunswick companies and the provincial government," Carr said. "Government is committed to fulfilling the objectives set out in the policy statement Lifelong Learning: Quality Adult Learning Opportunities. With this announcement, government is already fulfilling some of its commitments toward making lifelong learning more accessible to New Brunswickers."
The design of the new bookmobile was a joint effort of the Department of Transportation's Vehicle Management Agency and the Department of Post-Secondary Education and Training, Library Services Branch.
The new bookmobile model was designed with a truck cab and body. It is more spacious, heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer, and will have a longer lifespan than the older model. The bookmobile is also wheelchair accessible, a much-needed service improvement and a first for the York, Sunbury and Queens counties it serves.
The bookmobile travels to 50 different locations to offer library service to more than 1,100 library members, and circulates roughly 45,000 items per year, making it the sixth busiest service point in the York Library Region.
"The new bookmobile design addresses an important service need, and reduced the total cost of the vehicle by 33 per cent," Robichaud said. "This innovative solution shows how co-operation between government departments and private-sector business partners can provide efficient and cost-effective solutions for services to the people of New Brunswick."
The new vehicle was constructed in close co-operation with the Department of Transportation's Vehicle Management Agency, and was developed and constructed using New Brunswick businesses. The total cost was roughly 33 per cent less than the older model.
Dynamic Truck Bodies of Edmundston constructed the rear of the truck, including wiring, electricity, steps, wheelchair lift, flooring and walls. Les Ateliers Arpin Ltd. of Kedgwick built the interior shelving, and the International truck chassis was supplied through Richwil Truck Centre of Jacksonville. Graphics for the exterior were applied by 3M Trimline of Saint John.
"Working with our partners, both departmental and in the private sector, is how New Brunswick will become the Smart Province and achieve the goal of having the highest increase in post-secondary education in Canada within five years," Carr said. "Libraries and accessibility to books lay an important educational foundation for our communities, and the new bookmobile is an innovative, cost-effective and inclusive approach to bringing library service to rural communities."
There are four bookmobiles operating in the province. They stop in 197 locations, serve about 5,400 library patrons per year, and circulate 120,000 items on an annual basis.
06/04/05
MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn Hearn, communications, Post-Secondary Education and Training, 506-453-2568; Tracey Burkhardt, director of communications, Transportation, 506-453-5634.
06/04/05