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Bookmobile Headed to New Orleans Stranded in Waukegan

News Release
February 7, 2006

Donated transportation arrangements for the Waukegan Public Library’s 43 year old bookmobile to the hurricane-damaged library system of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana have fallen through, and now the bookmobile and over 250 boxes of books are stranded in Waukegan with no apparent way out of town.

Due to the bookmobile’s advanced years, driving it down to Louisiana seemed unwise. A rail management company had agreed to transport the bookmobile and books. The company’s damage prevention personnel have now determined that the bookmobile is not suited to travel by rail.

Nearly a quarter million items were lost from the collections at the 16 Jefferson Parish Library locations that were operating before the hurricanes. Most of the Jefferson Parish libraries sustained damage, and several will be closed indefinitely. A number are going through demolition and are still unable to reopen due to health and safety issues.

The Waukegan library had been looking for a way to retire the oldest continuously running bookmobile in the United States. It is a Gerstenslanger, purchased in 1962, affectionately known as “Gertie.” During her 43 years of service, Gertie has logged only 50,000 miles while visiting Waukegan neighborhoods and schools.

“I continually hear people say that having libraries open is part of their need for normalcy,” says Lon Dickerson, director of the Jefferson Parish Library System. “Schools are more dependent on us than ever before, and our library is essential to the rebuilding of this community’s economy. We greatly appreciate all of the support we have received and continue to receive; it makes the light at the end of the tunnel that much brighter.”

The bookmobile, and the books on it, have been donated as part of a larger relief effort organized by the Wheeling-based North Suburban Library System (NSLS) and the American Library Association. Gertie is full to capacity with over 300 boxes donated by the Lake Forest Library, Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee, and the Wilmette Public Library.

“In addition to the book donations for Gertie, many more NSLS libraries have already made contributions to the Jefferson Parish Library. This has included not only books, but large monetary donations raised through book sales and other events,” said NSLS Director Sarah Long. “Even with their own ongoing funding challenges, libraries throughout the nation have rallied to assist our beleaguered sister libraries throughout the Gulf area.”

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Media Contacts:
Judy Hoffman, North Suburban Library System, (847) 353-7137
Elizabeth Stearns, Waukegan Public Library, (847) 623-2041 x256