Cybermobile

In 1988, Muncie Public Library conducted a space utilization study with consultant David Rexford Smith from Minnesota in order to address the problem of overcrowded conditions at the Main Library (i.e. Carnegie Library) and the Audiovisual Center. With regard to the bookmobile, the study concluded that providing bookmobile service in a community of Muncie’s size was redundant, especially coupled with the fact that at the time, Muncie Public Library had six public facilities. This resulted in the bookmobile and the branches competing for customers. According to former Director Ginny Nillies, “That was never the intent of bookmobile service. Bookmobiles were designed to reach people who live in rural areas because of the distances involved” (Star Press, 12-19-1997, p. 6A). When Muncie’s first bookmobile was introduced in 1923, this was the case, but as time progressed, bookmobile use in neighborhoods declined, especially as schools began developing libraries of their own. 

Muncie Public Library, despite the results of this study, did not immediately decide to discontinue bookmobile service, and in fact, received a new bookmobile in 1994, citing other priorities for its long range plan to tackle. However, in January 1997, then Assistant Director John Drumm had just co-published an article describing the concept of a cybermobile and how it could be utilized by libraries and communities. Technology, especially computers, was becoming increasingly important, and libraries, including Muncie Public LIbrary were on the forefront for introducing them to the public at the time. Knowing this, MPL decided to embrace the concept and redesigned the bookmobile in 1998 into a mobile computer lab with six stations that traveled around Muncie offering computer and Internet classes to interested groups. With the Cybermobile, the library had two goals, to teach customers how to access information and also to help them gain confidence and overcome their fears about new technology.