The Baker County Library District’s Bookmobile service, which delivers books and other materials to the district’s branches and other locations around the county, has returned to the road after extensive repairs to the vehicle that has logged more than 385,000 miles over the past 20 years.

The Bookmobile service resumed Tuesday, Feb. 6.

The vehicle was taken off the road Dec. 5. At that time, library director Perry Stokes said the Bookmobile would likely be sidelined for about eight weeks.

During that period, mechanics installed a new engine, rebuilt the transmission and clutch, and replaced many other components including brake pads and rotors, shocks, U-joints, drive and accessory belts, and hoses.

The total cost, just under $35,000, came from the district’s reserve fund for capital investments.

“This investment

ensures the continued reliability and safety of the Bookmobile,” Stokes said. “It serves a vital role in our mission to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and community engagement by providing access to library materials and services to residents who may not have Internet and face barriers to visiting our physical locations. We appreciate the patience, understanding, and support of our community while the Bookmobile was down.”

The Bookmobile

schedule involves twice monthly visits to rural schools, senior living facilities, and designated hub locations in remote areas of Baker County including Keating, Oxbow, Medical Springs, and Hereford.

The library website

www.bakerlib.org has

the most up-to-date schedule.