County library outreach reports nearly 3,000 visits to 'Anywhere Library' stops

Emily LeBecky, the presenter for the Anywhere Library program, told the South Bend City Council that the outreach effort expanded across Pacific County in 2024 and drew strong use from rural communities. "As of right now, nearly 3,000 people have come to anywhere library stops," LeBecky said, and she reported "nearly 1,600 checkouts with anywhere library," numbers she said exceeded her expectations.

LeBecky described the program's cart-pull model — "we don't have a traditional bookmobile with this program; it's what we call a cart polar model" — and said the service currently includes a mix of public stops and non-advertised agency stops in partnership with schools and long-term care facilities. She said blue markers on her map represent eight current public stops, teal represented 12 agency stops, and planned/seasonal stops were marked in purple. LeBecky also said the program will gain technology and printing capabilities when an upgraded van with Wi‑Fi arrives, likely in March, which she expects will expand services to rural locations.

Councilors and residents asked about school visits and stop selection. LeBecky said school service is split between her and branch staff, and that demand from teachers helped spur new school-based offerings. One resident questioned the usefulness of a Raymond stop; LeBecky replied that some stops serve as convenience points tied to nearby staff and museum-pass distribution, and that attendance, not location alone, sometimes leads to discontinuing stops.