Annie & the Rachels – it sounds like a fun pop group, right?
It’s actually the nickname for three young rock stars of the Plano Public Library who are at the wheel of the library’s brand new outreach van. They’re bringing beautiful music – and a whole lot more – out to the community.
Annie Guzman and the two Rachels – Rachel Yzaguirre and Rachel Hadidi – are the library staffers assigned to drive the library’s sweet ride. But, please, don’t call it a bookmobile.
Dubbed #MoreThanBooks, the 2018 Ford 350 HR cargo van is tricked out with an external smart TV, a retractable awning and a bubble machine. Annie and the Rachels will take the van to outdoor public events like the Plano International Festival and Plano ArtFest, and share the library’s wide array of cool stuff – STEAM kits, tablets, musical instruments, career classes and more – here, there and everywhere in Plano.
Staff members also hope #MoreThanBooks will boost awareness of the library among non-users and underserved areas of the city.
“The outreach van will allow us to bring library staff into the community to showcase our resources, offer hands-on learning opportunities and provide library card registration,” said Library Director Libby Holtmann. “This will help us to get the word out that the library is more than books; we offer classes and services throughout the city for all ages and stages.” Priority will go to activities for early learning (newborns through preschool); STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math); career development and seniors.
With all these extras, the tab for the new van was just under $100,000. The cost to Plano taxpayers? Zero. The van was purchased with funds from the Friends of the Plano Public Library, which raises money through membership fees, merchandise sales and the annual Book Sale.
You can get an up-close look at the outreach van at this year’s Book Sale (see below.) The van will be parked inside Plano Event Center during the event to give shoppers a chance to tour the van.
Learn more about the outreach van and the wide array of cool programs offered by the Library in the July episode of Plano Podcast.
Next Stop: Book Sale
Book lovers can choose from almost 100,000 used hardbacks, paperbacks, DVDs, CDs and records at bargain prices at the 35th annual Friends of the Plano Public Library Book Sale, Friday, August 3 through Sunday, August 5 at the Plano Event Center, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano.Prices range from 25¢ to $2. Net proceeds benefit the Plano Public Library.
Friday’s sale runs 6 to 10 p.m., with an admission fee of $5 for individuals and $10 for families. Members of the Friends of the Plano Public Library enjoy free, early admission at 4 p.m. on Friday night, as well as a 10% discount on all purchases on any day of the Book Sale. (Shoppers may obtain a Friends membership online at www.friendsofplanolibrary.org or at the sale.)
Admission is free on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. An extra Sunday incentive includes special pricing for all merchandise at $10 for a bag of books (and the Friends supply the bags)!
