Learn more about the ICPL staff members who work on the Bookmobile! This month we talk to Shawna Riggins, ICPL's Bookmobile Assistant.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK ON THE BOOKMOBILE?

It is a treat to work on the Bookmobile! No one ever comes onto the Bookmobile in a bad mood. Maybe it's the novelty, or maybe it is how nice the staff are (certainly, this must be it?) but the Bookmobile is always a happy place. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE?

I love the opportunity to get to know Bookmobile visitors. Since the Bookmobile visits the same stops weekly (with some seasonal changes) we often get "regular" patrons who visit us weekly, or even more often! Getting to know these visitors over the weeks allows us to tailor our collections to meet their needs.

SHARE A BOOKMOBILE MEMORY WITH US.

One of my most memorable experiences on the Bookmobile was when the vehicle was brand new and we first filled the shelves. The Bookmobile was parked on Linn St outside the Library. We prepared a line of books on carts and had numerous staff made a human assembly line to get the books on the shelves. Many community members peeked in to see the progress and members of the media were present to report on the exciting step. It was a day filled with positivity and excitement for the future. The Bookmobile has been operating for a year now, but I can tell those feelings are still present in the staff and community.

WHAT'S ONE THING YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE?

We are just as excited as you are for the Summer Reading Program to begin! Registration, game cards, and prizes for all ages will be available on the Bookmobile. Visit us to stock up on books to complete your reading list this summer.

The Bookmobile will have its pre-summer service break from May 28 through June 1 and won't be in service during this time. No need to fret; the Bookmobile’s Summer Schedule begins Monday, June 4. It will continue through Friday, August 17. Please visit the Bookmobile at the following locations during this time:

Monday

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Willow Creek Park
• Noon to 12:30 p.m. North Dodge Hy-Vee
• 1:30 to 2 p.m. Legacy Independent Living
• 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. Bickford Senior Living
• 3 to 3:30 p.m. Regency Heights Apartments
• 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Lemme Elementary

Tuesday

• 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Weber Elementary
• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oaknoll Retirement Community, George St.
• 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Melrose Meadows
• 12:30 to 1 p.m. Emerson Point
• 2 to 2:45 p.m. Alexander Elementary
• 3 to 4 p.m. Grant Wood Elementary

Wednesday

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wetherby Park
• 12:30 to 1 p.m. First Avenue Hy-Vee
• 1:30 to 2 p.m. Iowa City Rehabilitation
• 2:30 to 3 p.m. Frauenholtz-Miller Park
• 3:30 to 4 p.m. Forest View
• 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. UI Community Credit Union, Mormon Trek Blvd.

Thursday

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. UI College of Medicine MERF/PBDB/BSB Courtyard
• 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mark Twain Elementary
• 4 to 4:30 p.m. Regency Mobile Home Community
• 5 to 5:30 p.m. Waterfront Hy-Vee
• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Party in the Park (various locations)

Friday

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mercer Park
• Noon to 1 p.m. Breckenridge Estate
• 1:30 to 2 p.m. Cole’s Community, Riverside Dr.

All stops are open to the public. The Bookmobile won’t be in service on Wednesday, July 4.

Once again, the Bookmobile will be present at all Stories in the Park dates. Stories in the Park will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. beginning Monday, June 4, through Friday, August 3, at the following locations:

• Monday at Willow Creek Park, 1177 Teg Dr.
• Wednesday at Wetherby Park, 2400 Taylor Dr.
• Friday at Mercer Park, 2701 Bradford Dr.

There won’t be Stories in the Park or Bookmobile service on Wednesday, July 4.

Stories in the Park is a mix of traditional storytimes and special performances. Children, parents and caregivers should remember to bring their Library Card in order to check out books and DVDs from the Bookmobile. Anyone who doesn’t have a Library Card can sign up at icpl.org/cards and pick-up their new card on the Bookmobile.

In the event of rain, the Monday and Wednesday storytimes will be held at the Library and the Friday storytimes will be cancelled. However, the Bookmobile will still travel to the parks, rain or shine, so visitors can check out items.

A female patron recently woman visited the Bookmobile on her way to the grocery store. Not only did she check out several items, she had a new Library Card made, learned how to make a purchase suggestions and interlibrary loan requests, and asked about our new video streaming service, Kanopy. As she packed up her materials and brochures she asked, "And this is all free?" We loved answering YES!