New Port Richey council approves $77,695 bookmobile purchase with Friends group support

The New Port Richey City Council voted to buy a 2025 Ford Transit T350 to serve as a mobile branch of the city library, staff said at the meeting. City staff recommended awarding the purchase through the Florida Sheriffs Association cooperative (bid 24BEH32.0) to Duval Ford for $77,695, with $50,000 budgeted from the library’s capital fund and $27,695 coming from the Friends of the New Port Richey Public Library.

Library staff explained the vehicle will expand outreach to homebound residents, schools and neighborhoods with limited transportation. “The addition of a mobile library will help ensure all of our community members, especially with some of the challenges that I just mentioned, to have access to the informational resources and lifelong learning opportunities the city library provides,” said the library presenter (Miss Feigart).

Nicholas Pacini, president of the Friends of the New Port Richey Library, thanked the council for preapproval and said the Friends have led fundraising for the purchase. “I came to you guys at the Centennial when we were getting an award for the library, and I told you I'd be back because I am committed to the next 100 years of Newport Richey success,” Pacini said.

Ron Becker, president of the library advisory board, told council that modern bookmobiles deliver technology and services as well as books. “We're delivering technology. We're delivering hope to people who don't have hope, who can't come to the library,” Becker said.

Staff said the Friends have additionally allocated $22,305 for vehicle wrap, specialized equipment and technology; that equipment will be procured and installed after delivery. Council members voiced support and approved the purchase by voice vote. The vehicle will be outfitted and placed into service after delivery and installation of specialized equipment.