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# Ribbon Cutting Celebrates New Bookmobile
- URL: https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/ribbon-cutting-celebrates-new-bookmobile/
- Published: 2026-09-22T20:12:19.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T20:12:19.000Z
- Description: The Jefferson County Library welcomed the new, full-service bookmobile into its fleet with tours, music and tasty treats.
- Author: Meriden Vitale
- Tags: Local News, Bookmobile, Ribbon cutting, Jefferson County Library, Meriden Vitale

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WA — On Thursday, September 17, Library Director Annie Scott held up a giant pair of scissors to a red ribbon strung across the library’s bookmobile garage. Fourteen months after a single-vehicle accident took the original bookmobile out of service, and after leading the gathered crowd in a countdown, Scott cut the ribbon and welcomed the library’s new bookmobile into its fleet and back in service. “It feels surreal,” Scott said. “It normally takes at least two years to rebuild a bookmobile of that size. So the fact that someone on our team found it, and the board supported it . . . ” she looked around at the crowd. “It’s such a group effort. Every single person at the library had a hand in it.” 

For the rural families, seniors and remote communities of Jefferson County, the bookmobile is a lifeline. Thanks to the creativity of the mobile services team, and help from community partners, the library adapted its Outreach eVan and didn’t skip a beat—maintaining every one of the bookmobile’s scheduled stops, without interruption, since the accident. But the eVan was noticeably smaller than the original bookmobile, with significantly less room for materials and browsing, resulting in less of the library “feel” that the full size model brings on the road. “We live in Quilcene and we’ve been awaiting its return with excitement,” said Hanako Myers, who attended the ribbon-cutting with her son. “It’s monumental for us.”

Folks of all ages were present to help celebrate the launch of the bookmobile and tour its new shelves. After the ribbon cutting, and speeches recognizing staff who had a hand in bringing the moment to life, the bookmobile emerged slowly out of the garage with Board Chair Vickie Norris in the passenger seat. Its shiny green hood glinted in the sun, the words ‘Rolling Forward, Community Strong’ painted across the trailer body. It’s a large vehicle to maneuver and the library is stepping up driver capacity in recognition. A professional driver will train 16 staff members to operate the vehicle, including several managers who will act as back-up drivers. With an eye towards continuity of service, the district is creating a video training program for future staff, ensuring a deep roster of qualified drivers can take a turn at the wheel when needed.

**“We live in Quilcene and we’ve been awaiting its return with excitement. It’s monumental for us.” — Hanako Myers, attending the ribbon-cutting with her son.*

The right timing, and a well-written letter, made the new bookmobile possible. When the Lewis & Clark Library in Helena, MT was ready to sell its bookmobile, libraries across the country sent in offers. Thanks to the words of Scott, who described the importance of the bookmobile for rural Jefferson County and the gap left by the accident, the former Montana bookmobile will get a second life on the Olympic Peninsula.

The new vehicle is equipped with a walk-in space designed to resemble a regular library. Shelving surrounds the walls, increasing capacity for a diverse collection of books, magazines and media. Attendees toured around while kids made themselves at home on the floor benches, reading beneath the bookmobile’s bright new skylights. It’s equipped with a printer, Wifi and a wheelchair lift for expanded access. 

**“It’s cool because it’s a tractor trailer and I got to see the hood of it." — Ribbon cutting attendee and coloring enthusiast Wesley Cittadini.* 

Music by Tex Armstrong drifted through the air, while library staff served up popcorn, cake and celebratory Martinelli’s. Everyone in attendance had stories about how the bookmobile had impacted them or their family. Pat White, from Cape George, was part of the group of parents who initiated the bookmobile coming out to their area when her kids were young, before the library’s construction in 1985\. She now has two great-grandchildren and loves to give them books; she still uses the bookmobile to check out magazines once a week without having to leave her neighborhood.

The bookmobile is impressive for both its services and its size, according to attendee Wesley Cittadini. “It’s cool because it’s a tractor trailer and I got to see the hood of it,” he said, while coloring-in a bookmobile model at the kid’s craft table. “It’s our favorite vehicle on the road,” said his mom, Lara Cittadini. 

Wearing an outfit decorated with books, Kati Perez, Head of Collection Development and Discovery, spoke to the significance of the moment. “It’s overwhelming to see the love and support in the community for what we do; it really is why we do it,” she said. “It’s been a very fun, all-hands-on-deck project. Those are the best kind.”