Morrisson-Reeves Library will take its services on tour next year. The Richmond library has acquired the MRL Express, a mobile outreach vehicle. The venture is a return to outreach services to residents within Richmond and 11 Wayne County townships.
The MRL Express is a modified Ford F350 with a custom cargo box designed to operate as a standalone branch. It will provide direct community access to books, technology, and popular library services.
“There is a genuine excitement about seeing the return of mobile service again,” said Josh Imhoff, Engagement Manager, in a news release. “MRL Express is about ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to connect with the library. We are proud to expand access to our collection and bring books and resources directly to the communities across Wayne County that we serve.”
The MRL Express is unlike other bookmobiles, as it features sides that open up to reveal rows of shelving, allowing patrons to walk right up to browse and select materials. And because it’s built on a F350 chassis, the truck does not require a commercial driver’s license to operate, providing the library more flexibility for staffing and scheduling.
The initiative aligns with the library’s strategic goal to provide equitable access by meeting residents where they are. Given that they serve a number of communities in the region, the MRL Express enables staff to transport larger collections of books and other materials to schools, elder care facilities, and community events.
The vehicle is equipped to provide the following services:
- Circulation: Browsing and borrowing of a rotating collection of materials.
- Holds: Holds placed online can be scheduled to be picked up at any regular book stop location.
- Connectivity: Public internet access via an onboard cellular WiFi hotspot.
- Programming: The vehicle will allow the library to hold library programs outside of the building, like story times and computer classes.
Funding for the MRL Express was made possible through a combination of grant support, endowment funds, and tax revenue received by the Wayne County Contractual Library. Initial funding was spurred by a $50,000 grant from the Wayne County Foundation, with the remaining costs covered by the MRL Endowment Fund through the Wayne County Foundation and saved revenue from the Wayne County Contractual Library. That entity receives tax revenues to provide library support to 10 Wayne County Townships outside of Wayne Township.
“The Foundation is thrilled to partner with the library on the book mobile project and hopes it inspires both new readers and lifelong book lovers alike,” said Rebecca Gilliam, Executive Director of the Wayne County Foundation, in the release. “We are especially proud that the library is extending outreach efforts to our smaller communities across the county.”
“The support from the Wayne County Foundation underscores the commitment to expanding access to literacy and technology across the county,” said Library Director Dena Little, in the release. “We think that it’s important to ensure that all residents experience the full value of their library, regardless of how far they live from our building. This vehicle allows us to bridge that distance and deliver resources directly to the people who need them.”
Previously, Morrisson-Reeves Library operated a bookmobile from 1968 to 2009. After a 16-year absence, the MRL Express will release its full schedule of regular stops at multiple locations in early 2026.
A version of this article appeared in the December 10 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.