The much-loved mobile library truck, however, is finally being put to rest, but not before being replaced with a newer, updated version.
Congupna Primary School has welcomed the new Mercedes van, still covered, of course, in the iconic imagery of Mem Fox’s children’s book.
“There is a lot of nostalgia attached to the old library box,” MARC library teacher Bob Boyer said.
“But it is a big step up.”
And rather than having the graphics painted on the side like the old truck, Bicknell Signs was commissioned to apply stickers — making it all the easier to swap them over when, or if, the time comes.
Mr Boyer and Katrina Campbell share the role of MARC library teacher, and agreed it was a bittersweet move, with the original library box a staple around town.
Mrs Campbell took over from Robyn Mitchell in 2015, who taught lessons for more than a decade.
“It's such a special job, we are really privileged to do it,” Mrs Campbell said.
“Especially because you get to go out and see these small schools and offer them something that the bigger schools do just get.”
The program is funded by the Department of Education and Training to provide literacy-based programs fortnightly, alternating with the Mobile Art Craft Centre, which delivered art lessons.
The MARC van services about 500 kids in the region, going to Wunghnu, Zeerust, Lemnos, Waaia, Katandra, Tungamah, Katamatite, Tallygaroopna, Dookie, Currawa and Katunga primary schools, along with Congupna where the van is based.
Mr Boyer said while there was a 12-metre container filled with books and resources for interchanging content for the kids, in addition to the new van, students could look forward to some newer selections.
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