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

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK ON THE BOOKMOBILE?Working on the Bookmobile is what I imagine working at an ice cream shop would be like. It's probably more like working on an ice cream truck. Our patrons love books like most people love ice cream. I'm so glad we don't have to listen to "Pop Goes the Weasel" or something like that over and over though.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE? The thing I love most about the bookmobile is that patrons really love it and appreciate the service. But a very close second is getting to drive the vehicle. Hitting the gas and hearing the engine roar is exhilarating.

SHARE A BOOKMOBILE MEMORY WITH US. Over the summer I was at a stop that was really busy at the beginning and the end but slow in the middle. During the slow time a youngster came on board and started a conversation with me. She asked me for book recommendations and I gave her many, but she had already read everything I suggested. This didn't seem to surprise her. She then proceeded to tell me about her life - friends, family, computer games, music, moving to a new city, and so on. I thought about how I had read everything as a kid too, but how my life had been so much different than hers. I'm grateful that I got to meet such an impressive young person that day on the bookmobile.  

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE? I want people to know that it has a great collection and that the downtown collection is available on the Bookmobile through Holds, too. Also, it's cool in the summer and warm in the winter!

The Bookmobile’s Fall Schedule began on Monday, August 27, and will continue through Friday, December 21. Please visit the Bookmobile at the following locations during this time:

Monday

11 to 11:30 a.m. Iowa City Rehabilitation

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. Helen Lemme Elementary School

5 to 5:30 p.m. Waterfront Hy-Vee

Tuesday

10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oaknoll Retirement Community, George St.

Noon to 12:45 p.m. UI College of Medicine Courtyard

1:45 to 2:15 p.m. Melrose Meadows

2:30 to 3 p.m. Emerson Point

3:15 to 4 p.m. Irving Weber Elementary School

Wednesday

3:15 to 4 p.m. Grant Wood Elementary School

4:15 to 5 p.m. Archibald Alexander Elementary School

5:30 to 6 p.m. UI Community Credit Union, Mormon Trek Blvd.

Thursday

9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Mercer Park

11 to 11:30 a.m. First Avenue Hy-Vee

2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Mark Twain Elementary School

3:45 to 4:15 p.m. Breckenridge Estates

4:45 to 5:15 p.m. Regency Mobile Home Community

5:30 to 5:45 p.m. Cole’s Community, Riverside Dr.

The Bookmobile won’t be in service on November 12 (Veteran’s Day observed), and November 21 and 22 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

All stops are open to the public. All stops offer free parking with the exception of the University of Iowa College of Medicine Courtyard stop on Tuesdays.