Learn more about the ICPL staff members who work on the Bookmobile! This month we talk to Paul Bethke.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK ON THE BOOKMOBILE?

Depending on the season the temperature can be quite hot or quite cold, and occasionally just right. Sometimes it can be quite busy, but usually it’s slow enough to spend time talking with regular users and familiar patrons, and among other topics of conversation, the opportunity often comes up to provide a reading or viewing recommendation.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE?

The consistent enthusiasm of our regular visitors and the look of wonder and excitement on the faces of those who board it for the first time. I love it when a patron finds something that isn’t available downtown, or something they were interested in but had forgotten about and how rediscovering it just makes their day. And I also like the vigorous waves we get from people as we cross their path while in transit to our next location; if I’m behind the wheel I always try to honk the horn as a way to say “Hi!” back.

SHARE A BOOKMOBILE MEMORY WITH US.

Last spring our regularly scheduled stop at the UI College of Medicine was made inaccessible by some major infrastructure work involving an HVAC system on top of one of the roofs. After driving around a bit hoping the access road would be open enough for us to get through, and then deciding that it just wasn’t going to happen during the allotted time, Tom (that day’s driver) and I decided that I should get out and walk our open sign up to our usual parking spot and see if anybody was waiting or would stop by. As it turned out, five people stopped by, three with returns, and hung out with me for a while to share a laugh about the situation.

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE?

That, just like downtown, we offer a Hold and Inter Library Loan (ILL) pickup service. It’s something that more and more people are taking advantage of as it sure beats trying to find parking downtown.

There's still time to register for the 2018 Summer Reading Program!

The first step is to sign-up at home or in-person on the Bookmobile. For those signing up at home who want to participate in the Summer Reading Program via the Bookmobile, choose “Bookmobile” as your branch when you register. So far, 14 babies, 114 kids, 6 teens and 22 adults have registered for the Summer Reading Program and listed the Bookmobile as their branch. Choosing the Bookmobile as your branch gives us an idea of how many prizes to stock on the Bookmobile, but we always carry extra so feel free to be flexible and pick up Summer Reading Program prizes at the most convenient location (downtown or on the Bookmobile) for you.

Not sure where to find us? In addition to our regular stops, we also have Stories in the Park on Monday (Willow Creek Park), Wednesday (Wetherby Park) and Friday (Mercer Park) mornings at 10:30 AM. These stops include regular Bookmobile service along with a Storytime program. Throughout the summer, for an extra special Stories in the Park Storytime, we'll feature local performers and musicians on some days. See page 2 of our Summer Reading Program Activity Guide for more information about these special performances.

For some extra summer fun, find the Bookmobile at Party in the Park programs on Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each week, join the celebration at a different Iowa City park to hear live music, participate in kids crafts, see a fire truck, check out an item from the Bookmobile, and connect with friends and neighbors.

Here is July's Party in the Park schedule:

July 12 at Mercer Park — 1317 Dover St.

Entertainment: Something in Your Teeth

July 19 at Ned Ashton House  — 820 Park Rd.

Entertainment: Alex Gordon Hi-Fi

July 26 at Calder Park (formerly Hickory Trail Park) —  2831 Hickory Trail

Entertainment: Marc & Brandi Janssen

Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre performance at 5:30 p.m.