For nearly 90 years, Ector County Library has been a cornerstone of Odessa in the Permian Basin. But with no branch locations and many residents living miles from downtown, access to library services hasn’t always been easy. That’s why the return of a bookmobile, now reimagined as the Words on Wheels! (WoW!) mobile van, is transforming how the library connects with its community.

The idea isn’t new, it’s a revival. From 1957 to 1987, Ector County Library operated a beloved bookmobile that served unincorporated and rural parts of the county. Director Howard Marks and his team discovered the vehicle’s history in the library archives, and when they announced the new WoW! van, longtime patrons were thrilled to see the service return in a modern form.

Thanks to a $75,000 special projects grant in 2023 from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and after making some initial adjustments, the WoW! hit the road in 2025, marking the library’s first mobile service in more than three decades. Complete with a custom West Texas-themed wrap, designed by a former staff member, a wheelchair lift, and a fully digital checkout system, the van makes regular stops at nursing homes, Boys & Girls Clubs, parks, and retail centers, reaching all corners of Ector County.

“Some of our residents can’t easily get to the library,” says Marks. “The van brings the library to them. Whether it’s seniors or teens who don’t yet drive, everyone deserves access.”

The outreach effort is already proving its worth and the WoW! is rekindling community spirit across the county. The library also takes the van to local events like the H-E-B Feast of Sharing, reminding residents that libraries are vital lifelines for learning and connection.

As Marks puts it, “With the WoW!, the sky’s the limit. We’re not just bringing books, we’re bringing opportunity to every corner of Ector County.”