Initiating the bat signal! Or...the book signal! Just like Batman, the Bruce County Library has its very own superhero vehicle to fight inaccessibility to library services.
The Bookmobile is a library on wheels, offering around 800 items.
"This was really born out of some community consultations that took place in 2017," said Brooke McLean, library director. "People were expressing a need to access library services differently and specifically asking for mobile library services."
As the Bookmobile has become a reality, it has received lots of support.
"Kids are going to love it," she said. "It's a great space, it's nice and bright."
In addition to the books, collections of DVDs, playaways, which are portable audio books, and technology are available for borrowing. It also has non-traditional items like ukuleles and snap circuits.
"Staff will be able to issue new cards, checkout materials, items can be returned to the bookmobile as well," McLean said.
If you have an item rented and the due date is coming up but the van isn't, the library gives three days notice for the due date and it can be renewed online or by calling any of the branches.
The van will run on a two week rotation with stop times varying on the location. McLean said the longest stop they have in their fall and winter schedule is an hour and a half.
The launch of the Bookmobile is fitting, as October is Canadian Library month.
"It's the time when we celebrate the role that public libraries play in providing cultural awareness, intellectual freedom, support, and lifelong learning," she said. "The bookmobile is going to bring all those things to people who may have challenges accessing our bricks and mortar buildings."
If you're interested in partaking, the schedule can be viewed on its website. To request a stop, click here. If you'd like to request the Bookmobile come to an event of yours, you can do so here.