Sussex County unveils new bookmobile

Georgetown, Del., April 21, 2026: Sussex County is turning the page into a new chapter of delivering library services to communities across southern Delaware.

County officials, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, held a ribbon-cutting to unveil a new Sussex County Bookmobile, the latest iteration in a program that launched in the 1970s and has evolved since.

The new 2025 Turtle Top Terra Transit replaces the County's longtime bookmobile, a 33-foot-long 1988 Thompson-built bus, recognized at a national conference as one of the oldest bookmobiles still in active service. While beloved, the diesel-powered vehicle was costlier to operate and maintain, and presented logistical challenges due to its size, as well as the requirement for a commercial driver's license (CDL). The new 28-foot gasoline model is more fuel efficient and maneuverable, and does not require staff operators to hold a CDL.

"This investment allows us to bring services directly to the people who need them most," County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said. The unit cost the County approximately $313,000.

The bookmobile travels throughout Sussex County year-round, making stops at senior centers, day-care facilities, schools, and other sites where either a community library is not present or where a large group of individuals can be easily served. The bookmobile has a capacity of approximately 3,000 items, including books, movies and audio programs.

"Our new bookmobile brings the library to life on every street it travels, turning miles into moments of discovery," County Librarian Rachel Lynch said. "Wherever it parks, stories open, connections grow, and the community comes a little closer together."

For the bookmobile schedule, visit sussexcounty.lib.de.us or call (302) 855-7893.

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