Minutes after the Bookmobile stops in the parking lot at the University of Iowa Community credit Union on Mormon Trek Blvd., a couple gets out of their car. They enter the Bookmobile and leave a couple of minutes later, book in hand.

Two more satisfied patrons at the Bookmobile's oldest stop and one of its busiest, averaging two dozen visitors during the winter schedule and three times that in the summer.

"I think it's the visibility," Bookmobile Assistant Shawna Riggins says. "We're close to neighborhoods and the shopping areas. It's a stop that connects with a lot of different people in a lot of different ways."

The Bookmobile stops at the UI Community Credit Union from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday. The 45 minute stop sees a mix of readers, from retired individuals eager to talk about the book they just read to young children who take advantage of the small collection of toys available on the Bookmobile.

Two elementary school students drop off the books they checked out last week and snag a few more from the shelves -- the juvenile graphic novel collection is quite popular. Minutes later, a mom and her four children enter the Bookmobile for their very first visit. Thirty minutes later, they leave with their new Library Cards and a red Bookmobile tote filled with books.

"I like that this stop occurs after 5 p.m.," Library Assistant Stacey McKim says. "I think it's important that we're able to catch adults on their way home from work."

Wednesday, April 10, is National Bookmobile Day – but why celebrate for a day when a week is longer?

Join us as we celebrate National Bookmobile Week April 8 through April 12! Anyone who visits the Bookmobile that week will receive a sweet treat and other goodies. You can find our schedule here.

Patrons who post a photo of our Bookmobile with the #icplbookmobile hashtag on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter April 8 through April 12, will be entered in a drawing for a Bookmobile travel mug. Feel free to visit the Bookmobile more than once that week to increase your chances of winning! 

We'll see you on the road!

The long winter is wearing on everyone, including the Bookmobile.

We’ve thought of the Bookmobile’s two heaters this winter as the “Little Heaters that Could.” Unfortunately, last week they just couldn’t keep up with the extended cold and their attempts to keep the inside of the Bookmobile toasty warm.

The good news is it is beginning to warm up and we found a company that services the brand of heaters installed in the Bookmobile. Bookmobile services are canceled today -- Thursday, March 14 -- for heater repair. Hopefully this will take care of the issue but it’s always a good idea to check the Library’s website for Bookmobile schedule changes,

Many thanks to everyone for your patience this winter. Spring will be here soon, right?