Luau BBQ event to launch campaign for new bookmobile for Aurora library

The Aurora Public Library Bookmobile plays many different roles in Aurora.

Whether it's the big blue bus that brings smiles to people's faces because it's in parades, or the place you visit while stopping by the farmers market, or your main library branch, the Bookmobile is something special to everyone.

The Bookmobile brings a lot of meaning to the people who visit it: connecting the community, serving as a resource for many students and even changing lives.

It's time for a new Bookmobile which will be able to serve the community even better with more resources and 21st-century technology.

You might ask yourself, is it really necessary to have a whole new Bookmobile? The current Bookmobile looks fine to me!

Well folks, don't let the cool graphics fool you! The current Bookmobile was put into service in early 2003 and has over 116,000 miles. If you keep up with recent library announcements, you will know it has been off road 28 days in 2019 for urgent repairs. That disrupts school visits for students hoping to pick up recreational reading, teachers receiving items for their curriculum, stops at nursing homes where customers pick up materials, and enjoy social interactions they look forward to all week.

An Outreach Services staff member says, "There is something inspiring about doing a job where the customer gets excited when you show up to do your work. When we arrive, the children run to the Bookmobile to get the latest book in their favorite series. Nursing home residents wait patiently for us to arrive and open our doors."

While the Aurora Public Library will fund ongoing operations of the Bookmobile, the Aurora Public Library Foundation must raise $400,000 to purchase a new Bookmobile and they need your help!

How can you help? They will be hosting a fundraising event, a Luau BBQ, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Parker Garden at Santori Library, 101 S. River St.

Through your ticket purchase, you can enjoy Luau BBQ cuisine (vegetarian and gluten-free options available), an open bar, authentic Hawaiian music performed by local band Hoapili and know you contributed to a new bookmobile.

You can purchase your $50 tickets or donate any amount to the Bookmobile by visiting the foundation's website at APLfoundationil.com.

All proceeds make possible a new bookmobile!