Daily Herald opinion: A great Arlington Heights tradition is still rolling along

Some traditions are worth keeping, especially when they continue to bring a community together.

For more than 50 years, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library’s Bookmobile has done just that, bringing books, programs and library services directly to neighborhoods throughout Arlington Heights.

The tradition began in 1973, when a $5,000 converted van traveled to neighborhood parks with books, puppet shows and short movies. More than five decades and five Bookmobiles later, the library is rolling out a brand-new, $602,759 mobile library. That kind of commitment to bringing library services directly to the community deserves recognition.

Yes, $600,000 is a lot of money for a vehicle. But this isn't just a fancy bus. It’s a library branch on wheels reaching people who might not otherwise make it to the library. The new Bookmobile has more space for books, modular shelving, an accessible lift, an exterior screen and an electric awning for community events.

Four librarians keep it moving year-round, making 27 regular stops at parks, schools, apartment complexes and senior communities, along with appearances at festivals and other special events. Library cardholders can also place holds online and have books and other materials delivered to a convenient stop.

This is community service at its best. Families can discover new books, seniors can access library materials without arranging transportation, and residents who might not otherwise visit the library can connect with a librarian right in their neighborhood.

Maybe the best part of the new Bookmobile is that it represents both progress and continuity. The technology, accessibility and space have changed dramatically since 1973, but the mission has not.

And we love how the community has helped make it possible. More than $500,000 of the new Bookmobile's cost is being covered by donations from the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation, Friends of the Library and estate gifts. This shows how the value of community connection goes far beyond a price tag. Other suburbs recognize this too, as bookmobiles are offered at Poplar Creek Public Library in Streamwood, the Cook Memorial Public Library District in Libertyville/Vernon Hills and others.

A library is more than a building filled with books. Sometimes, it’s a Bookmobile that pulls into our neighborhood and puts knowledge, discovery and community connection right within our reach.

That’s a tradition worth keeping on the road.