When ten year old October Hamilton of East Carbon learned the Carbon County Commission had cut funding for the Bookmobile in June, she went into action and started a grass-roots movement to save the mobile library.
The Commission voted against renewing the nearly $100,000 county contribution for the service as a part of the effort to trim the budget. The Commissioners publicly encouraged other entities that benefit from the Bookmobile, such as the school district and cities, to help fund the service.
The campaign started by the youngster to rescue the Bookmobile included a petition drive, and flyers and social media posts advising of the decision to pull county funding for the program. Utah Library Division officials said the loss of county funding would result in complete elimination of the Bookmobile service.
Bookmobile supporters packed the next meeting as October presented her petition with more than 1,000 signatures to the Commission. State Bookmobile representatives, and the mayors of all four Carbon County cities spoke in favor of continuing the Bookmobile service.
The Commission voted in July to approve an amended contract that specified a reduced county contribution, which meant a reduced number and frequency of stops the Bookmobile makes, but kept the service up and running through the next fiscal year.
2017 The Year in Review | Youngster’s efforts save Bookmobile
October Hamilton and her brother Tuxin at their petition booth in Smith’s. She also designed and colored the T-shirts with felt tip pens.