The Marshalltown City Council discussed MOBI, the mobile bookmobile for the Marshalltown Public Library. With the state removing the local levy for libraries, the Marshalltown Public Library has been trying to fill a nearly $250,000 hole in their budget. Youth Services Coordinator for the Marshalltown Library, Joa LaVille, shares the history of MOBI.

Then back in June of 2024, the Library planned to present the Council with the option to sell MOBI. The Council at that time decided to wait for a new City Administrator before any decisions were made. Councilors asked LaVille and Library Director Sarah Rosenblum questions on how MOBI operates.

LaVille says it is unrealistic to think that volunteers could coordinate and be in charge of MOBI. LaVille and the Library team said MOBI is just too big to handle with the loss of the levy. Councilor Barry Kell spoke after LaVille.

Councilor Kell thinks the sale of MOBI is the right way to go, especially if it nets 6 figures for the city. Councilor Gary Thompson thinks we should keep MOBI.

The Council voted 5 – 2 to look into selling MOBI. Mitchell and Thompson were the two votes to keep MOBI.

Zach Tomesch, News Director KFJB