To the Bookmobile: Mobile library team returns to NSSC

By Alfred TripoloneJanuary 19, 2023

1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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Beginning, again, during the cold months of this winter, members of the Natick Soldier Systems Center family can look forward to the scheduled visits of the Morse Institute Library’s Bookmobile Outreach team throughout the season in the conference room of Building 2 (Doriot). On the first Wednesday and third Tuesday of the month, Soldiers and Civilians can take advantage of having their library books, magazines, digital media, and videogames available right on base, saving time and travel.

Due to the hard work and tenacity of the Bookmobile crew and members of the NSSC, the mobile library will be available indoors.

“I’m happy they were able to get inside because, brrrr, it’s cold outside,” said Dalila Fernandez, a member of the Design, Pattern, and Prototype team here at NSSC.

Fernandez has been using the bookmobile for years and has built a rapport with the library team. Sometimes the librarians will bring books they know she will like without being asked.

“I love it. It’s so convenient and I feel like a VIP,” said Fernandez.

Natick Soldier Systems Center employs people from all over New England, with that comes a lot of commuting. The time employees spend in the car going to and from work is time they could use for errands like checking books out of the library.

“On a personal level, it’s so convenient! I can order any book and it comes to me. I don’t have to drive and find parking downtown to pick it up, it’s right here on post,” said Lynn M Valcourt, the Director of the Plans, Analysis & Integration Office, at U.S. Army Garrison Natick.

The local partnerships NSSC maintains with groups from the local community bring added value to service members and employees living and working here.

“As a Garrison leader, this long-standing agreement with the Natick Library is so very important as it ensures the NSSC community has full access to the library services that are available at all Army Garrisons,” said Valcourt.

The dedicated team of the Bookmobile are excited to continue serving the NSSC community, following a hiatus due to COVID.

“This is our way to give back to the community. People here work long hours and may not be able to go to the library. We like to think we help support them in their everyday lives,” said Rose Huling, a Bookmobile Librarian with the Morse institute Library.

Huling takes pride in her work at NSSC and in the surrounding communities. The Morse Institute Library is part of the Minuteman Library Network, a collection of more than 35 local libraries which gives anyone with a Morse Institute card access to more than 5 million items.

“I know that a lot of people come from all over the state and region to be able to serve our country as civilians supporting the military here,” said Huling.

Huling and the Bookmobile team will be providing ongoing services to the NSSC family. So, if you have a book you’ve been meaning to read, or a question about other services they may provide, don’t hesitate to stop by and sign-up for a library card.