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Long County bookmobile route ends
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BRUNSWICK — The regional bookmobile, operated by the Brunswick-based Three Rivers Regional Library System, will officially end its services Nov. 1, after 60 years of service.
In a typical month, the Three Rivers Bookmobile made about 40 stops at institutions such as preschools and daycares, Head Start programs, schools, prisons, assisted-living facilities and nursing homes in Long, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, McIntosh and Wayne counties.
The library system’s Regional Board of Trustees recently approved its new budget, and the decision to end the regional outreach service was based entirely on the need to cut back, said Leslie Jones, regional director.
About 350 individuals region-wide also used the bookmobile every month, often meeting at neighborhood and community stops or at their homes.  Circulation has ranged from 22,000-24,000 items annually for the past few years.
Three Rivers’ funding agencies have severely cut its budget, and more cuts are anticipated, Jones said.
“The library system received $131,716 in state funds for materials in fiscal year 2007-08,” she said. “Funding dropped to $91,924 for 2008-09, and $43,500 for 2009-10. Librarians have experienced the same furloughs required of other state-funded employees, and on the county level, some member libraries have had to cut back, too.”
Jones said the library system will begin exploring other ways provide outreach to patrons who cannot come to the library.
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