Local Rotarians Get to Preview Montclair Public Library’s eTuk BookmobileLocal NewsUpdated on Jul 24, 2019 View more like this | Visit MONTCLAIR, NJ | Contact Essential Public Relations LLC |
Peter Coyl, director of the Montclair Public Library, drove the new eTuk bookmobile to a recent Montclair Rotary Club meeting. Peter (seated in the eTuk) said that the electric-powered bookmobile will be used to bring books and materials to people who are unable to visit the library. Shown in the photo from left to right are Buddy Evans, president of the Montclair YMCA; Linda Cranston, club's program chair; John Amato, manager of the Kearny Bank branch in Montclair; Paul Metcalfe, owner of Metcalfe and Associates; Pauline Davis, club treasurer; Stuart Keil, club president; Peter, who is a Rotarian; and Dalton Chandler, club's immediate past president.
Photo by Bob Rinklin for Montclair Rotary Club
Photo by Bob Rinklin for Montclair Rotary Club
Debut Marks the First Time this Type of Electric Vehicle is Being Used as a Lending Library
The Montclair Public Library is preparing to roll out the community’s electric-powered eTuk, which is a 21st century version of the bookmobile. By doing so, the library is reportedly the first municipal library in America to deploy this three-wheeled eTuk as a mobile lending unit. In the past, bookmobiles were much larger vehicles, often converted trucks and buses, which brought books to families in rural communities.
Montclair Library Director Peter Coyl previewed the new bookmobile during a recent Rotary Club meeting. Mr. Coyl, who is a member of the Montclair Club, drove the library’s eTuk to a weekly meeting to show Rotarians how it operates. The vehicle’s storage area contains shelves that hold books.
According to Mr. Coyl, the Library’s Board of Trustees and staff had been discussing ways to serve individuals who have difficulty visiting the library. They began to look at ways of bringing a mobile library to the community.
Mr. Coyl said the eTuk is a modern version of the traditional bookmobile or mobile library. The mini bookmobile is simple to drive and park on crowded streets, which makes it easier to stop at many locations around town. The goal is to share books and other materials with individuals who are unable to visit the library.
“We believe that Montclair is an ideal-sized community to use the energy-efficient eTuk to bring books to children and older adults,” Mr. Coyl said.
The mobile library was initially unveiled during the township’s Fourth of July parade.
A three-wheel vehicle, the eTuk is manufactured in Colorado by eTuk USA. The vehicle is similar in design to gasoline-powered Tuk Tuks that are as urban taxis in cities across South East Asia and Central America.
Mr. Coyl explained that the vehicle – which holds about 300 books – will be visiting local parks, pools, YMCA summer camps, farmer’s market and senior centers or residences. The eTuk may also stop at NJ Transit stations in Montclair, he said. The mobile librarian will use a tablet PC to check out books.
Library book transport is a Coyl family legacy. His great-grandmother drove a bookmobile in the 1940s and he drove a bookmobile in college.
About the Rotary Club of Montclair
The Rotary Club serves the communities of Montclair and Verona. Rotarians volunteer their time and contribute resources to assist local, regional and international not-for-profit organizations. Annually, the club donates and distributes dictionaries to third graders in both communities. The club’s nonprofit foundation also contributes funds to several Montclair hunger-relief programs and sponsors international youth-exchange programs. For more information about the club and its programs, contact club president Stuart Keil at [email protected].
The Montclair Public Library is preparing to roll out the community’s electric-powered eTuk, which is a 21st century version of the bookmobile. By doing so, the library is reportedly the first municipal library in America to deploy this three-wheeled eTuk as a mobile lending unit. In the past, bookmobiles were much larger vehicles, often converted trucks and buses, which brought books to families in rural communities.
Montclair Library Director Peter Coyl previewed the new bookmobile during a recent Rotary Club meeting. Mr. Coyl, who is a member of the Montclair Club, drove the library’s eTuk to a weekly meeting to show Rotarians how it operates. The vehicle’s storage area contains shelves that hold books.
According to Mr. Coyl, the Library’s Board of Trustees and staff had been discussing ways to serve individuals who have difficulty visiting the library. They began to look at ways of bringing a mobile library to the community.
Mr. Coyl said the eTuk is a modern version of the traditional bookmobile or mobile library. The mini bookmobile is simple to drive and park on crowded streets, which makes it easier to stop at many locations around town. The goal is to share books and other materials with individuals who are unable to visit the library.
“We believe that Montclair is an ideal-sized community to use the energy-efficient eTuk to bring books to children and older adults,” Mr. Coyl said.
The mobile library was initially unveiled during the township’s Fourth of July parade.
A three-wheel vehicle, the eTuk is manufactured in Colorado by eTuk USA. The vehicle is similar in design to gasoline-powered Tuk Tuks that are as urban taxis in cities across South East Asia and Central America.
Mr. Coyl explained that the vehicle – which holds about 300 books – will be visiting local parks, pools, YMCA summer camps, farmer’s market and senior centers or residences. The eTuk may also stop at NJ Transit stations in Montclair, he said. The mobile librarian will use a tablet PC to check out books.
Library book transport is a Coyl family legacy. His great-grandmother drove a bookmobile in the 1940s and he drove a bookmobile in college.
About the Rotary Club of Montclair
The Rotary Club serves the communities of Montclair and Verona. Rotarians volunteer their time and contribute resources to assist local, regional and international not-for-profit organizations. Annually, the club donates and distributes dictionaries to third graders in both communities. The club’s nonprofit foundation also contributes funds to several Montclair hunger-relief programs and sponsors international youth-exchange programs. For more information about the club and its programs, contact club president Stuart Keil at [email protected].
