WINNEMUCCA - Humboldt County Library bookmobile users will be happy to hear the county is going to solicit bids - again - for a new bookmobile.
The county and library board rejected the first set of bids in October, feeling the main issue of dust damage to the bookmobile's heating, cooling, and electrical systems hadn't been adequately addressed. The other major concern was the large portion of the vehicle extending past the axle, which would drag through the valley gutters and parking lot area of the library.
The bookmobile travels on gravel roads to reach the rural population it serves and dust has always been a problem. In addition to regular runs, the bookmobile gives rural county children a chance to participate in the summer reading program, story times and audio-visual checkouts.
County commissioners asked Humboldt County Road Foreman Ben Garrett, who assisted with the bookmobile specs, how other libraries handled dust issues with their bookmobiles. Garrett said other areas he contacted indicated they had no need to take their bookmobiles on gravel roads.
Commissioners and library board members noted that, in this area, not going on gravel roads would defeat the purpose of having a bookmobile. An earlier truck and trailer bookmobile had fewer dust problems, but had other undesirable issues including insufficient power and aluminum shelving that weakened over time and left permanent black marks on the books.
Library board members assured the commissioners they believe the changes that have been made to the bid specs address the former concerns. Positive pressure fans for the interior cabin will decrease dust. Dual axles will nearly double the weight capacity and eliminate tail-dragging. The new specs call for a crow's nest to house the generator to eliminate the intake of dust from the exhaust area. Triple undercoating will assure added dust abatement.
Approximately $250,000 is available for the purchase of a new bookmobile from a combination of federal, state and local money. The local money includes a number of large contributions from business concerns and individuals as well as a fundraiser.
Humboldt County's bookmobile is partially funded by a yearly state grant that stipulates service to patrons of Humboldt and Pershing counties, including Imlay, Unionville and the Sonoma Ranch scheduled stops. The grant has been available to the bookmobile program for 25 years.
Commissioner Jim French thanked the library board members and Garrett for spending so much time working over the bid documents.
"You've provided us with a lot of information and I'm comfortable now that we're as close as we can get to a design that will work," he said.
Not all the commissioners were as certain.
"It's a whole lot of money and I hope this is the right thing to do with it," said Commissioner Dan Cassinelli.
Commissioner Mike Bell wondered whether any bidders would be willing to include a warranty in their bid for dust control.
Garrett said he believe the change to put the generator up will solve the majority of the dust problem.
Bookmobile driver and library specialist said, "We feel good about it."
Commissioner Marlene Brissenden said it will ll be interesting to see who will come back with bids, and told the library board and Garrett, "you did a great job."
Commissioner Garley Amos concluded, "If you're happy with it, I'm happy with it."[[In-content Ad]]
