Bookmobile magic
A whole summer has gone by and now that school has begun and there's the vaguest hint of fall in the air...the sun is heading over the horizon just a little bit earlier each day. I always take this time to take a look backwards...remembering things from times past. A climb up into the attic always takes one down memory lane. It's funny how sometimes, something you see can strike up a memory.... here's something that sparked some very cool memories:
BACK STORY
I saw this old bookmobile on the street in Marin County [CA]...just sitting there on the side of the road. I HAD to see it so I hightailed off the freeway and made my way back on the frontage road to look it over. It seems that it was a part of a 'history on wheels' program at one time. It's still there on the side of the road, so I reckon that it too, has succumbed to the effects of no money, but I hope that it finds a home somewhere!
The sight of this took me right back to the early 1950's when the sight of that great BIG bookmobile waiting for us at the corner durning summer. Our bookmobile librarian told us stories, and helped us find books and promised to bring new stories each week. We all really looked forward to that visit. And like our audio guest today, Susan Thompson, I too remember the huge step and how the librarian had to bend down to give me a hand up to get into that magical bus full of books and records [remember those??] to take home - for our very selves!
Listen to Susan's story of how the bookmobile was a central part of her childhood growing up in rural Northern California in the 1950's:
Later, when I was a Library Assistant and the Napa County Public Library, I was honored to have been given a position on the bookmobile. We drove ALL over the county delivering books, showing movies, telling stories and getting to know everyone on our route. Each week we'd load it up with the requested books or films [another 'memory' artifact] or bring the newest releases that we'd hand-picked for patrons we knew would want them.
I'm sorry to see these services go away. They served a unique purpose in the lives of patrons who live outside the city.
I personally think that equiping a modern bookmobile with computers, great reading and the library team could deliver incredible services that support our school and public library populations. Let's think outside the box!!
For a delightful history of libraries, including bookmobiles - visit THE LIBRARY HISTORY BUFF website by Larry Nix.
Do comment below with YOUR bookmobile story!!
