It's a gift to Coquitlam residents and a way to connect with each other.
Those were the words from Anthea Goffe, the executive director of the Coquitlam Public Library, who helped to unveil the new Library Link at a celebration today, Feb. 6.
The party outside the Poirier branch drew a number of VIPs to see the new set of wheels, including Mayor Richard Stewart, city councillors, library board trustees and staff, as well as arts leaders.
Created with John Van Setters of the Surrey-based Intercontinental Truck Body, the new turquoise-coloured Library Link replaces the old vehicle that was at the end of its life, city staff said.
The new book bus includes:
- more collection space and storage
- better work spaces for staff
- new technology
- an improved HVAC system and generator
- a hybrid electric booster
In June 2022, city council budgeted $636,000 to buy a new Library Link, a mobile library service that reaches neighbourhoods far from the library's two branches: Poirier and City Centre.
At the time, city staff said the Library Link would be on the road by the summer of 2023.
Funding for the new Library Link came from Coquitlam's Land Sales Reserve Investment Fund; the vehicle will be owned and maintained by the municipality and operated by library staff.
Started in 2009, the CPL Library Link ran six days a week — visiting eight neighbourhoods — during the COVID-19 pandemic.
