Surrey’s library on wheels brings books and services into the community

Surrey residents looking for their next book may find the service closer than expected: Surrey Libraries’ Mobile Library travels through the community with more than 1,000 items and a range of library services.

Jillian Wertzberger, the recently appointed Mobile Library co-ordinator, describes it as a small library on wheels and another Surrey Libraries branch. At regular stops at recreation centres and other community locations, residents can browse and borrow books, obtain a free Surrey Libraries card, return materials and receive some technology help.

Most public stops are monthly, so the van is expected to return to the same location the following month. Materials borrowed from the Mobile Library can be returned at other Surrey Libraries branches, whose staff ensure they make their way back to the van.

The vehicle operates five to six days a week and its schedule is posted on the Surrey Libraries website, though not every visit appears on the events calendar. It also visits shelters, food banks and other sites that may not be publicly advertised, reaching people who face barriers to using traditional branches.

Community Connections manager David Kerr said the service launched in April 2024 to make library access easier for residents who have difficulty reaching Surrey’s brick-and-mortar branches. He said the service aims to connect with people in underserved neighbourhoods and make them more comfortable visiting other library locations.

The service uses a Ford Transit van, sometimes called a bookmobile by staff. Kerr said it was originally gasoline-powered but has been converted to use biofuels made from organic waste. Wertzberger said many people ask whether they can buy books or what the service costs, and she enjoys telling them it is free.

September stops include: Sept. 1, South Surrey Recreation and Arts Centre, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sept. 2, Bridgeview Community Centre, 10 a.m. to noon; Sept. 5, Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sept. 9, North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex, 6 to 7 p.m.; Sept. 12, Cloverdale Recreation Centre, 1 to 3 p.m.; Sept. 15, Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sept. 18, Fraser Heights Recreation Centre, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; and Sept. 26, Tong Louie Family YMCA, 10 a.m. to noon. More information is at surreylibraries.ca/mobile-library.