Bookmobile services are in full swing and we’re connecting with our community in new ways, engaging new readers and community partners and enriching lives. It’s heartwarming to experience the welcome we’ve received throughout our community.

We’re connecting with new populations in many of the neighborhoods we’re serving. Recently teachers from Lemme Elementary School met us at a stop. Not only did they provide popsicles, but also encouraged the students to find their friends and make sure they came out to the Bookmobile. At the end of our visit, everyone had Library materials, a book bag, and a wallet attached to their book bag that held their Library card.

Teachers from Borlaug Elementary are meeting us once a month at the Monday 10:30 a.m. Willow Creek Park stop. The teachers are reading stories (in addition to the Library’s Stories in the Park program) and providing free books. Teachers from Alexander Elementary are at the weekly Wetherby Wednesday morning programs at 10:30 a.m.

We are also engaging with readers and community partners in new ways. At Sunrise Mobile Home Village, the management team is encouraging summer reading by hosting a special summer reading incentive. For each book checked out, children get to sign up to win a new bicycle. The drawing will be held at the August 3 stop at Sunrise Village during an end of summer party hosted by Sunrise Village staff. More information is at this link. Staff at Melrose Meadows and North Dodge HyVee and a number of other stops have provided refreshments for Bookmobile visitors to enjoy.

And most importantly, we are enriching lives. Stories in the Park is drawing huge crowds and we’ve heard so many words of appreciation from patrons who are choosing to have their holds delivered to the Bookmobile so they can meet us in the community. Last Friday morning a young girl was waiting to check out a book. Little did she know that Clifford the Big Red Dog was the special Stories in the Park guest and he was waiting in the cab of the Bookmobile. When the door opened and he was standing in the doorway, she looked up and said, “BEST. DAY. EVER!” Her Mom agreed, saying “This Bookmobile just gets better and better!”

Many thanks to all the people and organizations who are making us welcome in the community and encouraging people to meet us at the Bookmobile. Be sure to check our schedule to see where we’ll be next!

June 6 was a special day in Iowa City Public Library history. It was the first day of Bookmobile services.

Yes, the Bookmobile had been out and about throughout May, with many people stopping by to check out the Bookmobile and check out Library materials, but this was our first official day.

If that wasn't special enough, our first official stop was at Legacy Senior Living, where former Library Director Lolly Eggers resides. She said multiple times how beautiful the bookmobile is and that she was so happy to see the project come to fruition.

July has arrived and our first month of Bookmobile service is in the books! We have had a wonderful time getting to know our community even better since Bookmobile service officially began on June 6.

Our most frequently asked question this past month has been “Are you getting plenty of visitors?” The answer is, “Yes, and keep on coming!”

We are delighted to be getting to know people who are brand new library users as well as seeing existing library users in new settings. If you’ve visited the Bookmobile recently and seen some empty shelves, that is because people have been loving the Bookmobile SO much, they’ve been clearing us out of books. What a wonderful problem to have! We restock our shelves every morning so there is always something new to find on the Bookmobile.

My favorite stop of the week has been the Party in the Park events on Thursdays, sponsored by Iowa City Parks and Recreation. At these stops, we noticed many dogs (accompanied by humans) are frequent visitors. The Bookmobile now carries water and a dog bowl for our canine friends at the Party in the Park events. I am not sure who this benefits more – the pups, or our dog-loving staff!