The Bethlehem Area Public Library educates, informs and inspires by providing free and open access to materials and information. The Library is a dedicated community partner committed to life-long learning, serving the over 120,000 residents of the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Fountain Hill, and Hanover Township. The Library strengthens our communities with an outstanding collection of print and digital resources, informative programs, and innovative services. BAPL keeps pace as new technologies and applications emerge in the way information is accessed and delivered.
1M+
Books
Catalog
150k+
Active
Users
1M+
Community Members we serve
About the BAPL Bookmobile
Every kid should have access to books
The bookmobile makes designated stops throughout our service area, which includes Hanover and Bethlehem Townships as well as Fountain Hill and West Bethlehem. Each quarterly schedule runs on an alternating ‘A’ and ‘B’ week cycle to allow for some variation in the times/locations. Otherwise, the locations generally don’t change too often, making for an overall easy-to-follow schedule. (Note: The quarters run January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December).
www.bapl.org
project proposal
Project Purpose
- To provide books and resources in an accessible way to community members all over Bethlehem
- To increase the likelihood of adults and children having access to educational resources at their doorstep
- To provide a safe presence and help community members take full advantage of their library resources
www.bapl.org
our library Locations
Books on the Hill
Coolidge
Main Library
South Side
The Bookmobile
A Year of bookmobile
20,000
Books in the bookmobile
750+
Kids
served weekly
7,000
Books Checked out
125,000
Community Members Served
6
Days a week in the community
The kids of the community love the bookmobile!
Bookmobile
- The aluminum body was designed by Moroney Body Works out of Worchester, MA. They brand them as Moroney Monolite Bookmobiles. The company goes back over a century ago, and its first bookmobile was built in 1940. They do a number of “standard” and “specialty” models (some are actually converted from various types of buses).
- BAPL’s is a standard 24 foot model, made in 2003.
- The body weighs approx. 2.25 tons.
- The chassis weighs approx. 2.75 tons
- The books weigh approx. a half a ton.
- It is about 5 1/2 tons altogether!
- The current model is BAPL’s second bookmobile.
- There are approx. 2,000 books and anywhere between 120-150 DVDs and 30-40 audiobooks.
- In 2012, a young girl from Bethlehem Township named Emily was the winner of the “name the bookmobile contest.” Her winning entry was “Bookie Monster!”
Project Plan
To acquire a new bookmobile to serve the Bethlehem Area Public Library's outreach efforts, enhancing access to library services for underserved communities and promoting literacy and education. The goal is to acquire a new bookmobile that is safe, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, spacious, and aesthetically pleasing!
Research and purchase a new or gently used vehicle suitable for conversion into a bookmobile.
Branding and exterior design to promote the library and its services.
Launch and promotional activities to reintroduce the bookmobile service to the community
Design and outfit the interior with shelving, technology (Wi-Fi, computers, tablets), and accessibility features.
Project timeline
Research
1-2 Months
Identify suitable vehicles and vendors for bookmobile conversion.
Funding
3-6 Months
Conduct fundraising and sponsorship drives.
Design & Purchase
2-4 Months
Finalize vehicle purchase and begin design process for interior and exterior.
December
1-3 Months
Officially launch the bookmobile, followed by continuous evaluation and adjustment based on community feedback.
Budgeting
- Vehicle Purchase: $200,000 - $400,000 for a new or gently used vehicle capable of being converted into a bookmobile.
- Interior Outfitting and Technology: $50,000-70,000 for shelving, technology equipment, and accessibility features.
- Exterior Design and Branding: $10,000-40,000 for wrap-around graphics and branding.
- Operational Costs (Year 1): $100,000 - $150,000 for fuel, maintenance, insurance, and staffing.
- Launch and Promotional Activities: $5,000 - $10,000 for the launch event, marketing materials, and community outreach.
- Contingency Fund: $20,000 - $40,000 to cover unexpected expenses.
Total Estimated Budget: $485,000 - $710,000
Sponsorship Packages
Little red Bookmobile
$10,000+
Stairway
to
Literacy
$200,000
Life is a highway
$100,000+
The Wheels on the bookmobile
$5,000+
Books & Buses
$50,000+
Mustang sally
$1,000+
Sponsorship Packages - $50k+
200k+ | $100k+ | $50k+ | $10k+ | $5k+ | $1k+ | |
name sponsor | ||||||
exclusive invites | ||||||
keepsake | ||||||
check presentation | ||||||
private tour | ||||||
social media posts |
Sponsorship Packages - $50k+
200k+ | $100k+ | $50k+ | $10k+ | $5k+ | $1k+ | |
Headlining Sponsor | ||||||
C0-Sponsor | ||||||
Small acknowledgment | ||||||
Website Highlight Sponsor | ||||||
Press releases & Videos | ||||||
Internal Plaque |
Stairway
to Literacy
books and buses ($50,000)
your logo here!
Little Red Bookmobile
Little Red Bookmobile
Little Red Bookmobile
Little Red Bookmobile
Little Red Bookmobile
mustang sally
mustang sally
mustang sally
mustang sally
Address
Telephone
484-777-9031
afarrow@bapl.org
Website
contact uS
11 West Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
www.bapl.org
