The Ector County Public Library anticipates launching its Words on Wheels van, taking library services countywide, in early 2025.
Library Director Howard Marks said the library received a $75,000 grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. WOW, which is a Sprinter van, will travel throughout the county offering books and DVDs.
WOW will be in the library parking lot in October, but it won’t be on the road until early 2025.
People can use their library cards, return items and electronic devices, like hot spots and tablets, will be available to check out. Faudree Road will be the furthest east they will go because it comes up against Midland County.
“I want to give props to Midland County Public Library. They’ve been a big help,” Marks said. “They gave us their whole manual. They gave us a comprehensive tour of their POLLY (their book mobile). They answered a bunch of questions … They were so helpful.”
He added that there was a lot to learn as there are a lot of procedures, safety to learn, and procedures for emergency situations, among other things. There will always be two people in the van.
Marks said he’s working with Ector County ISD Chief Information Officer Kellie Wilks, who is on the library advisory board, to get Wi-Fi for the van so the community can connect to it. They will carry a collection of books in Spanish and a lot of books for teenagers.
They have the Cradlepoint technology ready; they will be doing some training and getting the routes ready.
Marks said there will also be a Stage 2 of developing the Sprinter van. ECISD is going for a digital inclusion grant and they have asked the library to partner with them.
“It’s in the initial stage right now. … We have looked into getting a solar roof, but I think getting Wi Fi to the community, that’s of ultimate importance, especially with the bandwidth out here and the digital divide,” Marks said.
They got the van from Silsbee Ford and the wrap was made by Graffix Xpress.
