Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County

Talk about fortuitous timing: the Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County was parked in downtown Santa Rosa while I was walking there one day this week.

The Free Bookmobile gives away free books at locations throughout the area. (The schedule is listed on its website.)

It got its start as a weekend service project by a local family. Today it operates as a program of the Sonoma County Public Library Foundation, an organization that also supports “The Big Read” and Sonoma County public libraries.

‘The Road Virus’ mobile bookstore

Image credit: The Road Virus on Facebook

I’ve long been intrigued by bookmobiles’ capability to expand a library’s physical reach — and so, The Road Virus was an especially memorable aspect of our stay in Sacramento.

Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County

Image credit: Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County

Among things seen that I liked during a recent visit to Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa, Calif., the Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County gives away free books at locations throughout the region.

‘Very small library branch on wheels’

Image credit: L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library

At Biking Librarians, a public Facebook group, Peter Rudrud posted news of what is essentially a “very small library branch on wheels,” a custom-built trailer pulled by a bicycle, holding about 100 items.

I would love to see more library systems create their own equivalents of the BookBike at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire, Wis.

“The BookBike gives librarians a new way to connect with residents of all ages, showcase the library’s digital content, provide an unexpected library experience, and give a fresh perspective of the public library.”

Also posted to Librarian on a Bicycle

Bookmobile memories

During a year that I worked in Bel Marin Keys, I was a regular visitor at the Marin County Free Library bookmobile when it parked across the street from my employer. Ever since, I have been intrigued by these portable libraries’ capability to expand libraries’ physical reach.

Five years ago today, during a walk around San Francisco, I couldn’t resist having my photo taken next to the San Francisco Public Library bookmobile. For an assignment that fall in my library studies program, I advocated resumption of bookmobile services among Lake County Library programs.

Library outreach by bicycle

Zac Laugheed with one of the Denver Public Library's
DPL Connect bikes. Image credit: American Libraries

“Custom Library Book Bikes Roll Out Across US.” For American Libraries, Chris Francis highlights library outreach via bicycle, including recommendations and important considerations for starting a similar program.

Feminist Library on Wheels, irresistible combination of librarianship and bicycles

Image credit: League of American Bicyclists

I’ve long been a fan of mobile library outreach; one of my projects in library school was to draft an argument for bookmobile services to the geographically spread-out population of a rural California county.

And as a bicycle rider, I’m even more enthused by library outreach on bicycle.

Bookmobile transformations mirror those in libraries

Mendocino County Library’s “Traveling Branch Library”
http://www.facebook.com/Mendocino.County.Library

The National Center for Educational Statistics lists 864 library bookmobiles in operation in the United States, with an average annual cost of $200,000 to keep them on the road. For Library Journal, Bob Warburton argues that bookmobiles are in a state of transformation, much like the libraries they serve.

Anyone plan to yarnbomb a bookmobile?

National Bookmobile Day is on April 17. Does anyone plan to yarnbomb a bookmobile? Do an image search “yarnbombed bus” for inspiration and learn more about National Bookmobile Day at http://www.ala.org/offices/olos/nbdhome.

Lake County libraries: Let’s have a ‘Measure A’

Mendocino County Library’s “Traveling Branch Library”
http://www.facebook.com/Mendocino.County.Library

 I think Lake County libraries should have a Measure A sales tax of its own, after reading about the numerous benefits to Mendocino County libraries.

As posted March 6 by the Ukiah Daily Journal, Mendocino County Library has acquired a bookmobile that is first-of-its-kind in the United States: an electric-diesel hybrid that operates with a prototype auxiliary generator.

Funding for the bookmobile came from American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds but thanks to Measure A, the library was able to expand bookmobile services to previously underserved areas of Mendocino County.

I’ve argued previously that Lake County should operate a bookmobile: a “Traveling Branch Library,” as emblazoned on the Mendocino County bookmobile’s side.

I see a need for bookmobile services particularly in greater Kelseyville and Cobb communities. District 5 is the only Lake County district that does not have a branch library. A bookmobile would provide services to people who have limited traveling ability.

A bond measure or a sales tax, such as Measure A, would help pay for that bookmobile.

A celebration through yarnbombing of Measure A funding for Mendocino County libraries

But consider these other benefits to Mendocino County libraries, realized since the passage of Measure A:

The UDJ posted a report on April 13  about a presentation by Librarian Melanie Lightbody before the Mendocino County Supervisors. In addition to adding services back, Lightbody noted, the library hoped to put $300,000 in a library reserve fund.

Measure A sales tax revenues would also mean that the library “will now have the ability to pay our overhead costs, which the board of supervisors has paid for us out of general fund money for over 20 years,” Lightbody said.

The UDJ further noted that the board approved a Librarian II position for a children’s librarian for the coast, so that there will be one children’s librarian for the coast and one for inland Mendocino County. The board also approved hiring 10 part-time library assistant positions for various branch libraries.

When I consider the new library that is being built in Middletown, I wonder how it can reasonably run with only one library employee. Surely library Director Gehlen Palmer will be in need of help beyond that which can be provided by volunteers.

The Measure A library sales tax measure also paid for new online resources. Our libraries can always use added funding for collections, whether tangible or online, as well as for vital community services.

For these reasons, I hope Lake County will consider putting a measure to vote and, if it comes to be, I hope Lake County voters will approve a measure for libraries.

Published May 1, 2012 in the Lake County Record-Bee

Bookmobiles bring information to you

Circa 1929: Book truck that served
Davidson County Public Library
(Bookmobile Library Timeline)

The bookmobile has had a long and illustrious history in the development of library services.

The purpose of this paper is to advocate resumption of bookmobile services in Lake County, particularly in those communities not presently served by a branch library. I suggest that in order to do so, the Lake County Library should apply for federal funding available through the California State Library.

The first “Library Wagon” debuted in 1905 in Washington County, Maryland, according to Mary Lemist Titcomb (qtd. in Dickson 53). Furnished “with shelves on the outside and a place for storage of cases in the center [it] resembled somewhat a cross between a grocer’s delivery wagon and the tin peddlers carts of bygone New England days.

San Francisco Public Library Bookmobile

Jonathan and I spent Tuesday walking around San Francisco, first viewing Van Gogh, et. al. at the deYoung Museum, then walking from Alamo Square on the corner of Fillmore and Staynor down to City Hall. The bookmobile was parked in front of the San Francisco Public Library.

Originally shared on Facebook