The College of the Holy Cross recently renewed its partnership with the Worcester Public Library Foundation and the city of Worcester to continue funding for “Libby,” a state-of-the-art mobile library, used to provide books and other resources to local schools and community members. The partnership, which started in 2012 as a five-year agreement, was recently extended for another three years, and Holy Cross will continue to fund at $80,000 per year, which will go towards on-going costs, including staffing, fuel, insurance and maintenance.
Holy Cross hosted a rededication of the mobile library last week, which celebrated the renewed partnership. This continued relationship will support the College’s mission to educate people beyond its campus, and keep “Libby” up and running for the next three years. The renewed partnership will begin in 2017.
“Libby” offers books, audiobooks, and DVDs for all ages, and is a Wi-Fi hotspot with tablets and a touchscreen computer for library patrons to use onboard. It is also ADA compliant, and offers low bench seating and an awning for community members during programs and events. In 2015, Libby visited 56 different sites within a regular four-week schedule, including approximately half of the elementary schools in Worcester. Also that year, the mobile library made 525 stops, served 12,094 patrons, circulated 28,899 items, issued 671 cards, and experienced 2,766 computer usage occurrences.
"The College of the Holy Cross is proud to renew its commitment to the Worcester Public Library Foundation,” said Jamie Hoag, director of government and community relations at the College. “The College's sponsorship of ‘Libby’ will help to ensure that everyone in the City has access to a library and the important resources libraries provide. We are grateful for this opportunity to support the mission and work of the Worcester Public Library."
In addition, Holy Cross also received the 2016 Dr. Richard E. Greene Founders Award in recognition of its continuous support of “Libby,” and the resources the mobile library provides the community. The College received the award on Sept. 14 during the Worcester Public Library Foundation’s Annual Meeting.
In 2006, Worcester purchased a functioning bookmobile from the city of Fitchburg in hopes of working with private sponsors and donors to assist its operation. The Worcester Public Library Foundation approached the College regarding a collaboration that would leverage its strengths in academia and education with the library’s vision to move toward a technology-driven, interactive resource. In 2012, Holy Cross committed to a five-year partnership with the City and the Worcester Public Library Foundation to get the mobile library on the road. The College and the Worcester Public Library also held a “naming” contest, inviting sixth grade students in Worcester to submit ideas for names for the mobile library. The winning name was “Libby,” which is what the community still calls the mobile library today.
News coverage:
- Telegram & Gazette, Sept. 25: College Town: Library’s Libby rolls along thanks to HC
- MassLive.com, Sept. 21: A library on wheels: Holy Cross renews its sponsorship of Worcester Public Library bookmobile
Related information:
- Holy Cross Partners with City to Fund State-of-the-Art Mobile Library
- Holy Cross, City of Worcester and Worcester Public Library Foundation Introduce ‘Library Express’
- ‘The Magic Bus’
- Libby: By the Numbers
