Police estimated the damage to the bookmobile at $250,000 Canadian (U.S. $171,714). Three boys, two aged 15 and one 16, have been charged with arson, breaking and entering, and mischief. Staff Sergeant Harry Oldengarm said in the April 22 Guelph Mercury that the canine unit tracked the boys from the scene of the fire to a nearby home. The boys have been released to their parents.
Chief Librarian Norm McLeod said the bookmobile was insured and that the three staffers for the bookmobile would be reassigned to other duties. He added that it was too soon to know how the library would replace the bookmobile or how to continue service in the meantime. “We’re still collecting information, and there will probably be a board meeting” to decide how to continue service, McLeod said.
Two months earlier, McLeod had proposed ending the bookmobile service to cover a budget shortfall. Following a strong public outcry, the city council voted to keep the service running at an annual cost of $100,000 (U.S. $68,681).
“I look forward to 9:45 every Tuesday morning to get my books,” said Irene Roberts, 82, a resident of the Speedvale Avenue senior complex and a regular bookmobile user. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without it. I’m devastated.”
Posted April 28, 2003.