“Hello, friends! Welcome to the Bookmobile!”
Story time on the Library System of Lancaster County Bookmobile always begins the same way: “Hello, friends!”
Special Services Manager Ed Miller—or “Mister Ed”—asks the Head Start class to look around. “Tell me what you see.” Sometimes a hand or two raises, but more often than not, there’s a chorus of excited voices.
“Books!”
“That’s right! Books. We’re a library on wheels, and that’s why we’re called the Bookmobile.”
The Bookmobile makes over sixty-five stops a month all over Lancaster County, bringing books, DVDs, audiobooks, STEM activity kits, museum passes, and the occasional ukulele to populations that might not have the means to visit a brick-and-mortar library.
With the help of Outreach Librarian Meredith Hendrix-Jackson and Library Assistant Kaitlin Abrahams, the Bookmobile has monthly stops at retirement homes, nursing facilities, low-income housing communities, over thirty Head Start classrooms, and Amish communities. We have a uniquely designed vehicle that allows them a lot of flexibility, making sure they bring the right materials to their stops.
Our shelves are actually carts on wheels, and they are interchangeable. On ‘Head Start days’, we load up with our picture books carts, both fiction and nonfiction. On ‘retirement home days’, it’s large print and the latest from Lisa Scottoline or James Patterson, along with audiobooks and DVDs for our patrons whose eyesight or hearing don’t allow for traditional reading. For days where we are going to see the Amish, it’s the inspirational fiction cart and our special stash of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy books. The Bookmobile is also able to roll these carts into lobbies, classrooms, or activity rooms for accommodating stops. This has helped us better serve patrons with limited mobility.
For most of our patrons, the Bookmobile is their only opportunity to have access to new books and movies. Though we already have over sixty-five stops, we are always looking to expand service. Please contact us for more information.
Click here to see where the Bookmobile will be next
Donate
One time donations:
Contributions can be made using PayPal. Click the button below.
| Level | Monthly Donation |
|---|---|
| Bookworm | $5 per month |
| Book Lover | $10 per month |
| Book Connoisseur | $20 per month |
| Honorary Bookmobile Driver | $25 per month |
LSLC Bookmobile
1866 Colonial Village Ln, Suite 107
Lancaster PA 17601
Monthly donations:
Are you interested in making a monthly donation?
Even small amounts make a huge difference!
Click here to learn more about our Bookmobile Support Club
Click Here To Tell Us Your Bookmobile Story!
This program is EITC approved.
Click here to find out how your business can help!