RIO stands for Reading and Inspiration through Outreach, and the RIOmobile is essentially a library on wheels. On board, you can check out and return books, music, and movies, renew items you have checked out, pick up your holds, sign up for a library card, and pay your fines. The RIOmobile makes regularly scheduled stops on a weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly basis at places around the community including schools, public parks, assisted living facilities, and apartment complexes. Our mission is to bring the library to those who might otherwise have a hard time getting to the library on their own.
You will need a library card with the New Braunfels Public Library to check out most of the items on the RIOmobile. If you do not have one, you can sign up for one on the bookmobile, just bring a picture ID. If you don't have a library card, we also have a selection of books for both children and adults available from our free lending library. Take a book and either bring it back whenever you're done with it, or pass it along to someone else.
All items generally check out for the same amount of time as they would from the main library. Some extensions are made for patrons at bi-weekly and monthly stops.
No. You can return items checked out on the RIOmobile to either the Main Library or the Westside Library Branch. Additionally, items checked out at those locations can be returned to the RIOmobile.
If this is your first time placing holds on items to be picked up from the RIOmobile, you will need to tell us which stop you would like to pick your books up either in person at the Library or RIOmobile, by calling us at 830-221-4318, or by filling out the form in the box below.
After you have designated what stop you would like to have your books delivered to, you can order holds online on our catalog as always, just be sure to select “bookmobile” as the location to pick up the hold.
To have a hold made available for pickup at a different stop or library, just call 830-221-4318. Please note that it might take a day or two to process these requests.
The short answer is “probably” Given the fluid nature of our collection, if you see an item in our collection you would like to pick up, just give us a call, and we can set it aside for you, or place a hold on it online.
We periodically reevaluate and add new stops throughout the year. Scheduling is subject to availability. The bookmobile is approximately the size of a large RV, and needs ample room to maneuver and park. Contact Jonathan Margheim, the Outreach Librarian in charge of the RIOmobile, at jmargheim@newbraunfels.gov or 830-221-4318 for more information.