Equitable travel is essential for accessing library services

I live in a metropolitan area where I take for granted that I can just walk or take the bus to my public library. So while listening to That Librarian, written and narrated by Amanda Jones, I was deeply concerned by something Jones said about teens being able to access Livingston Parish Library in Louisiana: “Kids younger than sixteen cannot drive alone.” Teens would not be unaccompanied in Livingston Parish Library unless an adult gave them a ride and dropped them off there.

I was concerned and troubled by the idea that young people (or really people of any age) couldn’t easily walk, ride a bike, or take public transit to access their local public library. (And I’m aware that this reaction of mine is off-topic to the main focus of Jones’s book, which concerns her efforts to combat attempts at book censorship and to challenge hateful people who subjected her to cyber-bullying.)

Santa Rosa CityBus : Young people ride for free

Young people can ride Santa Rosa CityBus for free, through the Unlimited Rides (UR Free) pilot program, which operates through Dec. 31, 2022.

Bicycle-themed collage art

Here’s a collage from greeting-card images and from informational brochures gathered during an Earth Day celebration in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square. The background is a route map for Santa Rosa City Bus.

Library-themed trip to San Francisco

Took a library-themed day trip to San Francisco this week, to celebrate my birthday. Rode aboard Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit to the San Rafael Transit Center, then caught Golden Gate Transit’s “Route 31” free shuttle to the Golden Gate Ferry.

Once in SF, we walked to the closest branch of the San Francisco Public Library, which offers a free library card to any California resident.

Our trip wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to Readers Bookstore Fort Mason, operated by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library; with book-laden packs we then made our way to the Golden Gate Bridge Visitors Center, where we caught Golden Gate Transit’s “Route 101X” back to downtown Santa Rosa.

(Image: Books from Readers Bookstore, with my San Francisco Library Card.)

Rogue Commute Challenge: will Ashland schools win again?

Image credit: Rogue Commute Challenge

In Ashland School District (ASD), the Health Promotions Committee is getting ready for the Rogue Commute Challenge, a competition among teams to log the most miles by bicycling, walking, carpooling, etc. -- any trip taken by not driving a car alone.

Friday, Jan. 6: Buses to run, schools remain closed

School-crossing in snowfall, New Year’s Day, 2017

Latest snow update is that Ashland schools will be closed Friday, Jan. 6, with all school-related athletic and extracurricular activities canceled for tomorrow as well. RVTD plans to resume transit service during normal hours tomorrow, but the routes may be delayed due to winter road conditions.

Rogue Valley Transit cancels Thursday bus service

Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) has cancelled bus services for Thursday, Jan. 5. In a weather-warning bulletin, RVTD cited a forecast of icy roads and below-freezing temperatures continuing throughout the day.

Service aboard RVTD buses shut down early Wednesday afternoon.

RVTD apologized for the inconvenience, stating it hopes to resume regular service on Friday, Jan. 6. RVTD recommends riders check its website, Facebook and Twitter accounts or call 541-779-2877 for up-to-date service information.

Snowfall delays Rogue Valley Transit routes

Photo from personal collection (December 2013). Animation by Google Auto-Awesome

Bus riders, be aware that heavy snowfall has caused delays in services. As of 7:36 a.m. today (Jan. 4, 2017), all Rogue Valley Transportation District routes were operating but many were running late. RVTD recommends that riders with smartphones download the One Bus Away app for real-time bus arrival information.

Rogue Commute Challenge

In the spirit of reducing our carbon footprint, of enhancing personal wellness and honoring the interdependent web of life, I’m asking co-workers if they'd be interested in forming “Rogue Commute Challenge” teams.

ALA Conference by bicycle or bus

How many library professionals will travel by bus or bicycle during the American Library Association conference (happening in San Francisco this year)? Sarah Stone, a librarian in the Collection Development Office at the San Francisco Public Library, has compiled tips for getting around via public transit, ride services and bicycling. Her essay was published on the official blog of the Association for Library Services to Children.

Cross-posted from Librarian on a Bicycle

My blogging history and purpose of my blogs

Part of the time I might have spent blogging this week was spent considering my past history as a blogger and the purpose of my two blogs, Cynthia Parkhill: Library Assistant, Volunteer and Advocate and Librarian on a Bicycle.

New blog about travel by bicycle and bus

“This librarian travels by bicycle and bus.” I’ve started a new blog to officially house my writings about auto-dependence alternatives. Its blogroll will grow as I migrate entries from my library-themed blog.

Bitstrips: Reclaiming public transportation narrative

Reclaiming my public transportation narrative from the Bitstrips app: a validation of travel by bus, and identification of myself among the growing number of people who rely on public transportation.

Bear Creek Greenway: Ashland to Phoenix trip

Bridge along the Bear Creek Greenway north of Ashland

Jonathan and I rode our bikes up the Bear Creek Greenway on Saturday, from Ashland to Phoenix, Oregon. The trip represented enormous progress in our efforts to free ourselves from dependence upon driving a car.

12 percent of households don’t have car

From the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (citing a 2009 National Household Travel Survey), come a variety of statistics about U.S. transportation that may startle and inspire. Among them, one in 12 U.S. households does not own a car and 11.9 percent of all trips in this country were done by walking or bicycling.

Automobile bias in job interview videos

In an online discussion of videos about interviewing techniques, a classmate raised the point that an assumption by the producers that applicants will drive to an interview, is a “bit off the mark.”

Rogue Valley Transit: Snow affects Routes 10 and 60

Image credit: Rogue Valley Transportation District

Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) was not in service on Saturday because of inclement weather and dangerous conditions related to Friday’s snow. On Monday, RVTD made temporary changes to Route 10 between Medford and Ashland.

‘Crunch’ by Leslie Connor

In Crunch by Leslie Connor (Katherine Tegan Books, 2010) a family’s bicycle repair business is the only thing keeping people on the road when gas supplies dry up.

A long-distance truck driver and his wife are stranded several hundred miles from home when gasoline supplies abruptly disappear. Fourteen-year-old Dewey and his siblings must manage the “Marriss Bike Barn” while meeting family responsibilities.

With no cars on the highway, cyclists take to the lanes. Suddenly, everyone is turning to the Marrisses for much-needed bicycle repairs.

‘Unbored’ for summer reading and doing

Perfect for summer reading and doing, Unbored is as its subtitle suggests, “The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun.”

Compiled by Joshua Glenn and Eizabeth Foy Larson with a variety of contributors, Unbored offers guidance and inspiration for activities that encourage young readers to experiment, explore and become engaged members of society.

Last day of work at Lake County Record-Bee

Cat memorabilia given me by co-workers at the Record-Bee

Feb. 28, 2013 was my last day of work at the Lake County Record-Bee. The month’s close marked the end of a professional association that lasted 15 years.