The City of Pleasanton is excited to announce the launch of its highly anticipated Library and Recreation Outreach Vehicle, a mobile unit designed to bring library materials, recreational programming, and community services directly to residents across the city. The outreach vehicle has been affectionately named “Zippy,” a lively name symbolizing the energetic spirit at the core of the City’s effort to break barriers and bring vital services and programs directly to the community.
This project was supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. In January 2022, the City was awarded $175,000 from the California State Library’s “Stronger Together: Improving Library Access” grant for the
purchase and design of the outreach vehicle. The Pleasanton Library and Recreation Department was one of only 15 recipients statewide to receive this grant aimed at helping libraries implement new ways to bring literacy, technology, and other services to those who face challenges visiting their local library. In subsequent fiscal years, the project received supplemental funding for exterior design services and books through a grant of $12,250 through the Black Gold Cooperative Library System, along with a generous donation of $10,000 for Zippy books from the Friends of the Pleasanton Library.
“Zippy is a game-changer for how we deliver services and engage with the community,” said Heidi Murphy, Director of Library and Recreation. “With this outreach vehicle, we are breaking down traditional barriers and reimagining access by moving beyond building walls and into the heart of every neighborhood. We are hopeful that Zippy will help drive us further toward our vision of inspiring a vibrant community where everyone belongs.”
The City’s 2021 Community Survey provided the first evidence of the need for an outreach vehicle in Pleasanton. Survey findings revealed a correlation between residents’ proximity to, and overall satisfaction with, library services. As distance from the library increased, residents’ satisfaction decreased. Compared to those living in the closest proximity to the library, overall satisfaction dropped by 29% among respondents who live the furthest distances from the library. The City of Pleasanton has a single library facility serving approximately 80,000 residents across 24-square miles. Zippy will enable the Library to better meet residents where they are and help expand access to services and materials at locations beyond the library.
Zippy will serve the entire Pleasanton community, including a focus on populations of the city that are often lower-income and lack access or regular transportation. This initiative reflects Pleasanton’s commitment to equity and innovation in public service, by reducing barriers and increasing access to vital library and recreation resources. The vehicle will be staffed by trained Library and Recreation personnel, ensuring it can be effectively deployed for community events, neighborhood pop-up programs, school visits, and more. With its wide range of onboard technology and resources, the vehicle will offer everything from book lending and STEAM kits to sports equipment and interactive programming.
Zippy is a custom-built 28-foot step van equipped with book carts, a wheelchair lift, Wi-Fi, HVAC, a sound system, and a 55″ LCD monitor. The addition of interchangeable shelving will allow staff to transform the space at each service location to best meet community needs. The vehicle also features a colorful exterior wrap, making it easily recognizable as it travels throughout Pleasanton.
The project has navigated a series of delays since the California State Library awarded its grant in January 2022— from manufacturing and supply chain disruptions to safety modifications, training requirements, and compliance with state regulations. Zippy’s arrival opens the door to many exciting possibilities in the future, enabled by the ability to expand access to services, materials, and programs at locations beyond the library. For the time being, Zippy’s use will be limited to one stop per month, owing to the City’s current fiscal challenges. Even so, each stop is an opportunity we eagerly embrace — to connect, inspire, and serve at the very heart of Pleasanton’s neighborhoods.
Residents can look forward to Zippy’s official debut at the Library and Recreation Summer Reading Program kickoff. Zippy will be parked outside the library from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m and tours to follow. Pleasanton Library and Recreation invites the community to join the kickoff event, explore the new vehicle, and sign up to take part in the Summer Reading Program. Details and schedule for upcoming monthly Zippy stops will be forthcoming. For the latest updates to Zippy’s schedule, visit the Programs & Events Calendar at pleasantonlibrary.org, subscribe to the Library newsletter, and follow Library and Recreation on Facebook and Instagram.
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