The document provides an overview of bookmobile outreach services in Kootenai County, Idaho. It introduces Lucy as the guide and Debra as the driver who delivers library materials to 24 sites across two counties. Typical stops include residential facilities, retirement homes, and schools. The bookmobile collection includes 10,000 adult, young adult, and children's materials. Staff work 136 hours per week to provide this mobile library service and ensure communities have access to reading materials.
2. Well, hello there! Would you like to take a little trip on a bookmobile? My name is Lucy, and I’ll be your guide as we travel in Kootenai County, Idaho delivering library services with the Community Library Network’s Bookmobile. Video may take a minute to load Debra Johnson is our driver. Don’t worry, she’s has her Commercial Driver’s License and has been driving this bus for six years. Are you ready? Then fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a bouncy ride!
3. Outreach Services Staff While we travel to our first destination, let’s take a moment to meet the staff. Connie Nemeck Karin Hall TwyllaRehder, Outreach Services Coordinator There are five staff in the Bookmobile Outreach Services department working a cumulative total of 136 hours per week. Unless there is a special event that requires additional help, such as the Kootenai County Fair, each staff person does their own route individually. [Laurie Moore is not pictured] Debra Johnson (She’s pointing at the emergency escape hatch . . . just in case)
4. Idaho So where are we going? Kootenai & Shoshone Counties Kootenai County (Kootenai County Idaho, n.d.). Today is the 1st Monday of the month, so as you can see from the schedule, we are headed to Social Residential. Next we’ll head to the Montrose Apartments, a retirement housing development. Debra will continue on to the School Plus location in the afternoon. (Community Library Network, 2011). The Bookmobile visits up to 24 sites every month in Kootenai and Shoshone Counties. While some locations may take less than an hour of travel time, outlying destinations often require the whole day.
5. But that’s not all, there is also a Sprinter Van with its own “lobby stop” schedule. The Sprinter Van goes to 23 different locations each month. The quote on the flyer says: “Bringing the library van to senior citizens at independent and assisted living facilities across Kootenai County” (Community Library Network, 2011). (Community Library Network, 2011). BOOKIT Connie is heading out to do just that.
9. World Cat This is what it looked like when we headed out. Oops! While navigating a tight corner the books when flying. Playaways
10. Let’s see what else is inside . . . funny dog camera & screen for backing up port-a-potty air conditioner and heater and big clock outside door lock extra seat main entrance side door back door
11. Here we are at Social Residential ( a behavioral health residence for adolescents) our first stop of the day. Debra finds a place to park. I quickly help her to reshelve the items that fell off. Afterwards we go inside to let them know we are here and then come back and wait. Two teens choose a few young adult books. After they are approved by the their counselor, Debra checks them out and we head to our next destination.
12. We’ve just arrived at the Montrose Apartments. Debra makes a call to Hayden Library to ask about a technology problem. They use MiFi for their wireless Internet connection and a laptop to check out items. Debra tells me that the signal strength is somewhat sporadicbut it works well enough. After checking out books and delivering bags of items that had been placed on hold, we head back to the library.
13. Now we’re going to take a little detour. We’re skipping ahead to the following the week so I can share some pictures from my outreach program at Skyway Elementary. Arriving at Skyway Elementary See the rabbit on my shoulder? He’s waiting to see if the kids can answer the riddle “how do you catch a unique rabbit?” That’s me on the left (in blue) and my assistant Morgan Chevalley. Morgan came with me so Karin and Connie could see how to do the skit. They will be helping me next week. “Unique up on him!”
14. Here are some of the creative ideas that the kids came up with for their puppet theaters. (‘The zombie and the girl’ is my favorite) One of the site coordinators went into the Bookmobile to check out a pile of books for the kids. Usually they take the kids in a few at a time, but they wanted them to have time to work on their crafts.
15. Ok, now let’s bounce back to last week and see how Debra manages to park to this thing! I know we came out there but . . . Automatic garage door opener Driving to the back of the library Sheesh! That is one tight fit. Look how close the mirror is to the wall! How’re we going to fit back in?
16. Although the Bookmobile resides in tight quarters, the staff’s office space is quite roomy. The green labels help to keep books and other items organized and ready to grab for their next trip. These donation books are heading to foodbanks throughout Kootenai County.
17. Well folks, we’ve come to the end of the of the road. I hope you enjoyed your tour of the Bookmobile. Thank you for joining me and please watch your step on the way out.
18. References Community Library Network (2011). Bookmobile Schedule [Brochure]. Community Library Network. Community Library Network (2011). Lobby Stop Schedule [Brochure]. Community Library Network. Kootenai County Idaho (n.d.). [Untitled maps]. Retrieved October 7, 2011, from http://www.kcgov.us/
