01/07/2025
We need your help, Mississippi!!
This unwavering dedication to providing library services and materials to the underserved has always been the mission of the Terry Lajaunie Memorial Mobile Library. The mobile library was a dream of the Lamar County Library System’s former Assistant Director, William “Terry” Lajaunie. Terry was a beloved member of the LCLS staff but also well-known and respected by countless libraries across Mississippi. Terry strongly advocated for serving the community, especially those often overlooked. Terry had a passion for outreach and longed to go into the communities that could not access one of the brick-and-mortar library branches.
Sadly, Terry passed away before this dream could come to reality.
In 2022, LCLS launched the Terry Lajaunie Memorial Mobile Library. At the time, a small van was used to transport the collection. Each Monday and Wednesday, the mobile collection had to be loaded and unloaded into the van. Community centers throughout the county were used for this “pop-up” library as they offered public wifi and space to set up the collection. Because of the lack of shelving in the community centers, shelving also had to be transported. This was problematic for two reasons: 1) loading and unloading the van each day took up much of the day, thus limiting the time the public could access the collection and library services. 2) since the mobile library was limited to the community centers, the county's more rural areas still went unserved.
Ambulatory issues are a hindrance to those trying to access a library branch. The United States Census reported that 10.7 % of Lumberton’s population has disabilities that cause ambulatory issues. While the city of Lumberton has a brick-and-mortar library, mobility restraints make it impossible to access it. In Baxterville, 7.3% of the population faces ambulatory issues. In the Arnold Line community, 3.4% of the population faces similar mobility restraints. With the population of these smaller communities having great difficulty traveling because of physical restraints or transportation limitations due to poverty, it is nearly impossible for the library to serve them adequately. The solution? A full-service bookmobile.
Our project, the Terry Lajaunie Memorial Mobile Library, would be a school bus converted into a mobile library that offers the same services as the brick-and-mortar branches of LCLS. The book bus would be able to house a more extensive collection than the original small van. The book bus would also offer a more excellent array of library services. Technology access would be provided through the internet, printing, faxing, scanning services, and laptop use. The librarian aboard would perform story times and notary services. The collection housed on the book bus will offer books and resources specifically for these populations. Subjects would include caring for disabled family members, financial aid resources, forms for government assistance, and more.
The Lamar County Library System has partnered with local entities to bring the book bus project, a 2000 Blue Bird bus, Model 3800, to fruition. The retired bus was purchased from the Lamar County School District. Dr. Earnest Evans, the career and technical director for Hattiesburg Public Schools, evaluated the bus. Career and technical students assist in removing bus seats and replacing the floors. Eventually, the students will build shelving on the bus for the collection.
Additional funding from our community could help with the collection, bus maintenance, an ADA-approved wheelchair ramp, a canopy, and so much more.
Libraries contain stories of people from different races, ethnicities, genders, orientations, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. They exist to provide information to all populations. Our library’s mission is to take our services beyond the walls of a physical building and into the communities of those who need it most. Through our project, the Lamar County Library System will reach the underserved populations often overlooked by society. Please consider donating at the link below.
https://square.link/u/yao7o2US
