West Des Moines library launches new "bookmobile"

State of play: West Des Moines Public Library opened in 1996 off Mills Civic Parkway on what was the western edge of town.

• But thanks to the area's growth, it's now central, library head of youth services Jenna Ehler tells Axios.

How it started: WDM already has a mobile library program, but librarians use their own cars so it's not very visible, Ehler says.

• The library decided to deck out a Ford F-350 similar to an ice cream truck by adding a box and music to it.
• The truck cost around $100K and was funded by the WDM Library Friends Foundation and library gift trust money.

What's next: Library staff want to start using the truck this spring or summer and visit preschools, day cares and parks.

• They also want to bring it out weekly to Cumming this summer, whose residents also use the WDM library.