The Georgetown Public Library hopes to add a dedicated van to continue and grow home delivery and other outreach services.

Georgetown City Council approved a motion June 11 stating it would accept a $65,000 grant from the Friends of the Georgetown Public Library to purchase a Ford F-150 transit van. The funds would also cover the cost of lifting, wrapping and adding custom shelving to the vehicle.

The maintenance cost is estimated to be about $1,200 annually for the city and would come out of the general fund. Council agreed the city would take financial responsibility for the cost of future vehicle maintenance if the grant money is raised.

The Friends of the Georgetown Public Library have not officially launched the campaign yet – representatives wanted to first obtain council approval before the end of the fiscal year to ensure they would have time to raise the funds, the library's Community Outreach Assistant Kalena Powell said in a follow up email to Community Impact Newspaper.

The library’s home delivery service stops by about 25 locations on the east side of town and 25 on the west side, Powell said. About 80 patrons are served through biweekly visits.

“We’re thinking about the longevity of this program,” Powell said regarding the addition of the van. “The senior population and the population in general is increasing, and we want to think toward the future and growth of our community.”

The home delivery route allows citizens to age in place, she said, adding it keeps them connected to the community they live in and love.