Bookmobile | Pad Patter 4.7

I vaguely remember there being a bookmobile in the summers when I was a kid. We have a county library at the end of our street ... well there's a small neighborhood park, then the library ... so about two blocks from my house. It's one of the smaller libraries, but it's always had what my kids/GK needed. I no longer borrow real books, instead I borrow eBooks online to read on my Nook.

 

we had one when I was a child. We lived far out from the towns. Now I live in a large town we have access to static libraries. Although not at the moment. Libraries have been closed for over a year now due to Lockdown.

 

I've never seen one myself, but we live about 30 mins outside of the city, so it would be wonderful to see one in our community.

 

Ohio has a lot of libraries that are run by the county. Mine is that way and the main branch is located here in town since it is the county seat. In fact, the library is right across from the courthouse and one block from the county administration building (and in the 1950's my church was located at this location so I always say my parents were married at the library and I was baptized there as well!) The county has 5 branch locations in some of the other towns in the county and people can request books from any of these locations to pick up at the location closest to you.

There was a bookmobile at one time and I found this on the library website on the history page: "In their efforts to continually improve library services to county residents, the library purchased their first bookmobile in 1952 and had designated stops around the county during the summer. In 1990, Outreach services were implemented and the bookmobile was used to provide these services. The library purchased the third bookmobile named the "County Explorer" in 1994. Due to decline in use, the bookmobile was sold on April 11, 2012."

They expanded into digital services long before COVID. I've been using my Kindle through the library for about 8 to 10 years. And, the state of Ohio has now implemented a program where residents can get free at-home COVID tests! My library is included in this (but hopefully I won't need this service since being vaccinated).

My local library has a long and interesting history.

 

Some places have city libraries. Actually one town in my county (the 2nd largest) has their own city run library and are not a part of the county system. Probably goes back to the fact they wanted to be the county seat 160 years ago and my town got the honor... we are located in the middle of the county so it made sense. That town has been sour about it even to this day.

Our library is open but still has the drive-thru/curbside pickup available. They have their catalog online so people can reserve books that way. They do close for 1 hour in the middle of the day to do cleaning.

I get my ebooks through the Ohio Digital Library which is a digital consortium of 179 Ohio libraries. Overdrive is how I get the books. We now have Hoopla available too as long as you register using your library card. I haven't used them. And, they now have a partnership with LinkedIn Learning/Lynda.com. Haven't used it yet either.

 

I borrow them from my county's library system using Overdrive ... there's also a "Libby" app we can use on your phone/tablet, but I prefer to read on my "E-ink" (b&w) Nook so I haven't downloaded the Libby app.

I can also borrow audiobooks online.

 

I don't ever remember a bookmobile although, of course, I have heard of them. I guess I grew up in larger cities so there were always libraries around. Now, I also download ebooks from our local library network West Texas Digital Consortium. So much easier and no late fines, they just come collect the book themselves, sometimes while I'm still reading it and that is lots of fun - not! But still, no late fee.

 

I have no experience with a bookmobile but I have heard of them and love the idea. I love libraries in general.

We have a great library system in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area with several branches. I love that I can request books on their website and then go pick them up. And they became like a second home as we've done so very many homeschool activities and performances there. One has full size stage theater. They closed at the beginning of the pandemic but soon offered curbside pickup and now they offering short appointments for visiting the library.

 

Our area school district sponsors a bookmobile. You get two free books at each visit. There are books for all ages; sometimes I find something, but the kids always do.

 

Oh my goodness, that was SO exciting - when the Bookmobile came around! My favorite memories were of going to the downtown public library and when the bookmobiles started - what a thrill!! always loved smelling the books.

 

I absolutely loved the bookmobile as a kid! It was one of the highlights of my week when I got to choose new books, Actually it still is! I have really missed being able to browse at the library during the COVID-19 restrictions. I will be really glad when things are back to normal and I can wander through the library touching books again!