A new outreach van was launched yesterday at the Bermuda National Library.

The Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler thanked the Stempel Foundation for its donation of the van, which will service the community as an outreach service, initially for seniors.

"At the moment, the van will cater to seniors as a mobile library. We are excited about the van because unlike the very big mobile library that we used to use, this van can access just about every driveway," said Joan Vidale, Outreach Assistant.

The van will eventually be able to service school children and incapacitated people who are unable to come to the library.

Representatives plan on going to rest homes and private residences and provide the library services. There will be someone on hand with a laptop to access the database so people can see the services offered.

"The seniors tend to request large print books and audio books, inspirational literature seems to be the books of choice for them," said Ardleigh Young, President of the Friends of the Bermuda National Library.

"I would like to personally thank Mr. Ernest Stempel and the Stempel Foundation for their support of the Bermuda National Library, in particular, the Youth Library, for the past nine years.

"These donations have purchased books and computers from the Youth Library and continue to support the 'Teen Advisory Board', a group of teens who meet weekly to plan library activities for teens," said Mr. Butler.

The van will be operated by Mrs Joan Vidale. Members of the public are invited to contact Mrs Vidale at the Adult Library on 295-3104 or email at jvidale@gov.bm if they are interested in receiving this service.