How long has San Antonio had a bookmobile?The San Antonio Public Library has been providing bookmobile service from the very beginning; in fact, we had a bookmobile in the 1930's, when the library was called the Bexar County Free Library. You can see historic photos of our bookmobiles here.
What does the bookmobile look like?Our current bookmobile, "KC," is a 2008 Freightliner MT55. It's 32 feet long, 8.25 feet high and 12.25 ft. wide with its wheelchair lift extended. It has its own generator, which powers the lights, heat and air conditioning. You'll definitely notice KC when she rolls down the road: she's bright purple with yellow lettering.
What's on the bookmobile?KC holds about 3,200 books, ranging from board books for babies to large print books. We have nonfiction, fiction and paperbacks. We also have a small DVD collection.
Where does the bookmobile go?At the present time, we have 15 regular stops that we visit on a 3-week rotation. Our purpose is to serve people who, because of distance or disability, can't get to a library building. Our regular stops include rural communities, such as Somerset and Helotes, and several organizations that serve people with disabilities. You can see the details here.
Who can check things out from the bookmobile?Anyone with San Antonio Public Library card can borrow books or DVDs from us, and anyone who lives in Bexar County can get a library card from us. You'll need to show proof of identity and address.
How many things can be checked out from the bookmobile?You can borrow up to 50 items from us, just as you can at a branch library.
What if the bookmobile doesn't have an item I want?You can place holds on items that are kept at other San Antonio Public Library locations, just as you can at a branch library. You can request books, DVDs and music CDs; for newspapers and magazines, you'll need to visit the branch library that owns the item.
How long can the items be checked out for?Usually, three weeks, but if a holiday or bad weather prevents us from making a regularly scheduled visit, we'll extend the due date for another three weeks. So, for example, on May 30 the libraries will be closed for Memorial Day. Items that are checked out from the bookmobile on May 9 will have a due date of June 20.
Where can I turn in the items I borrowed from the bookmobile?To any San Antonio Public Library location or the bookmobile.
How can I renew items I borrowed from the bookmobile?You can use the automated phone system or renew online BUT please be aware that the computer system doesn't know you're a bookmobile patron.
It will give you a due date of 3 weeks from the day you call in, or if you're renewing a DVD or music CD, 1 week from the day you call in. So for example, if a book you borrowed from the bookmobile is due June 23 and on June 21 you go online and renew it, the new due date will be July 12. To avoid a fine, you'll need to return that item to the bookmobile or to one of the branch libraries on or before July 21. To find out where the bookmobile will be on a given date, visit our blog.
If you want to be given a due date that will match the day the bookmobile will be at a given location, call Central Library or any of the branch libraries. Tell them you're a bookmobile patron, tell them which stop you go to, and ask for a new due date that will match the bookmobile's schedule. So for example, suppose it's June 21 and you're renewing a book that's due on June 23. If you want to bring it back to the Somerset bookmobile stop on July 14, call one of the libraries. A librarian will need to override the computer to give you a due date of July 14.
How much are the fines on bookmobile items?The fee schedule is here. Something important to know: because the computer system doesn't know you're a bookmobile patron, the computer will calculate your fines the same way it does for regular patrons--per day instead of per stop.
So before you pay fines on bookmobile items, speak to a librarian. He or she will need to recalculate the fines.
