LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A new bookmobile will soon be rolling along Lake County’s roads.

The Lake County Library reported that the vehicle arrived on Nov. 21 in Lakeport.

Then, on Tuesday, as part of its consent agenda, the Board of Supervisors approved a budget transfer of $53,342 from the capital asset account to the library account, which County Librarian Christopher Veach told Lake County News allowed the library to make the final payment to the bookmobile vendor.

In April of 2022, Lake County was among 15 libraries across to receive grants from the California State Library to acquire or upgrade their bookmobiles or community outreach vehicles, as Lake County News has reported.

That $199,865 grant aimed to provide mobile library services for Lake County residents more than 20 miles from an established branch, along with enhancing library outreach efforts with the presence of the mobile library vehicle at events.

In addition to the state grant, the Lake County Library reported that an American Rescue Plan Act allocation from the Board of Supervisors covered the remaining funds needed.

Purchased from Ohio-based Farber Specialty Vehicle, the bookmobile made its cross-country journey to California on a flatbed truck.

Farber won the project in a competitive county consultant selection process. The company has been crafting custom health, dental, STEM labs and bookmobiles for three decades, producing 150 to 180 custom specialty vehicles each year, the county reported.

“The library’s valuable offerings go well beyond books,” said Brandon Mach, library assistant and bookmobile driver. “I'm thrilled that we can now extend resources and services to even more Lake County residents.”

Veach said they don’t yet have a definite date for the bookmobile’s roll out.

County staff will first receive comprehensive training on its features, including the solar system, onboard wheelchair lift and media capabilities.

Later this month or in January, the bookmobile will embark on its welcome tour.

In anticipation of the bookmobile's arrival, Mach has been actively surveying Lake County’s communities to understand needs and preferences for bookmobile services.

Beginning in early 2024, the bookmobile is expected to maintain a regular route — three days each week — reaching residents currently underserved by existing county library branches in Clearlake, Lakeport, Middletown and Upper Lake.

Bookmobile services will also be available at special events, the county reported.

Veach is looking forward to expanding the library's reach.

“Libraries are for everyone. Knowing our bookmobile will soon reach every corner of Lake County is truly exciting,” Veach said.

Learn more about the Lake County Library system at https://library.lakecountyca.gov.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.