Boston Globe Bookmobile article

I have lots to talk about. I haven't posted in a while, but with going to the ABOS Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services conference and moving/vacation/swamped at work, everything gets put on hold. But I'm working on some good stuff for this blog. You won't be disappointed once it's done.

But for now: The Boston Globe ran an article about bookmobiles in early October.
'Bookmobiles' final chapter?
A few libraries, drivers refuse to give up on relic of days gone by'
By Anna Badkhen, Globe Correspondent October 2, 2007
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/02/bookmobiles_final_chapter/

The article talks about how a bookmobile from the Beverly Public Library in Massachusetts is no longer needed because nobody goes to it and that in this day and age, with the internet and all, we don't need bookmobiles. She talks about how they are raising money to purchase a new bookmobile. And that Moroney manufacturers are not producing as many bookmobiles. She also quoted Tina (supposed to be Tena?) Wilson as saying "bookmobiles are dinosaurs and bookmobiles are fading."

I love reading about libraries and especially bookmobiles, but I have to say that I was disappointed in this article. I feel like it was poorly researched, and was just written to support the author's adgenda. But it's confusing too, because it sounds like the author is in support of the fundraising? I don't know. I do know that other bookmobile workers/librarians were upset by the article. Tena wrote:

When he quoted me saying that I hear people (i.e. library school professor) saying "bookmobiles are dinosaurs," he neglected to finish the rest of my sentence -- they aren't! When people say bookmobiles are a thing of the past, they are incorrect! Bookmobiles are as vital as they ever were -- only the target groups are evolving, adapting as societal needs change. Perhaps the only ones fading are those who are not adapting --

Bookmobiles, like libraries, have to adapt and we do. When people stop showing up at your bookmobile stops then it is time to change.

Statistics reported in the California Library Statistics:http://www.library.ca.gov/lds/librarystats.html
2003 61 Bookmobiles reported
2004 69 Bookmobiles reported
2005 63 Bookmobiles reported
2006 60 Bookmobiles reported
2007 63 Bookmobiles reported
Based on those stats bookmobiles in California have steadied. (The California Library Statistics has all sorts of good information.)

It is important to remember why we have a bookmobile and why it will still be around in the future: The patrons are evolving and most can get themselves to a library. However, there is a population of patrons that cannot get to the library; children, seniors, those with disabilities, those that don't live in an area with libraries, the low income families. Bookmobile fills in the information gap for those people. Bookmobile is ever evolving to keep up with them. Our bookmobile will never be staid or stationary. We are always on the go!

Public library reading forum

This is sort of not related to bookmobile but still library relevant. (Although bookmobile patrons would be interested too.) I have people ask me a lot if I know of a book club in their area. And I work on staff picks for my library's website. And I was thinking what if you could combine, book clubs, staff picks and patrons into a public library reading forum. Everyone could sign up (international too), everyone could participate. You could even get authors to do something, start a forum about their upcoming novel.

This is what I found while searching the internet:
http://forum.bentonharborlibrary.com/index.php?sid=a4c8ee3a851b84145a9035eeb7cf4e05
http://www.wals.lib.wi.us/forum/viewforum.php?f=2
http://glen-ellyn.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/7696055172
http://www.tppl.org/Forums/library/
http://www.wals.lib.wi.us/forum/

The first one is used for reading and that looks promising although it doesn't have many posts. Some of the others are used more for library events/news.

Has anyone else come across anything like this?

Poison, Conspiracy Theory, and Roadkill

About twice a year a woman comes out to complain to us and one of our stops. She comes out, doesn't say hi, and yells at us from our door. She tells us the same thing that we are polluting the air and poisoning the old folks with our generator and that if we don't do anything about it she will call the environmental protection agency or something like that. I have asked if she wanted my supervisor's phone number and she declines. But this time she said she already had it and stomped away. (I doubt if she has ever called.) I have to admit that I am skeptical that we are hurting anyone. I don't think that we would be able to drive around and use the generator if it was evil. Also we were asked to come to this retirement community by the manager's office. I don't think they would have asked us if were going to harm their tenants. Sometimes our generator is a little stinky but it usually goes away or blends into the air and is hardly discernable. At this particular stop we park in a small parking lot with the buildings in the front of our vehicle and the generator to the rear. It seems that there is enough space that any smell could just go away and not affect the tenants. No one else has ever complained and the manager's office has never said anything to us. If we are harming people I would invite someone to do tests. I really don't want to be driving an evil bookmobile that kills people. That just goes against the image we are working for. Part of me wonders if she just likes to complain.

Then later in the day one of my favorite patrons came on. We both share an interest in dolls. She likes to go thrift store shopping with her sister and take home little orphans and fix them up. I have my big-eyed Blythe doll that I make clothes for. She has even brought me patterns for clothing for my doll. On this particular day she was telling me how her son gave her a book on space and planets. She said that wasn't her thing, she prefers romance novels like me. Then she told me that there might not have been a man on the moon. She has been to plenty of places in the United States that are barren and look like the moon. They could have just put a man in a fat suit and taken his photo. And she also said "that they make such a big deal about finding a rock on Mars, Big deal! I found a snail shell in my front yard!"

And then yesterday, I ran over some fresh roadkill big enough to make the Bookmobile bounce. It was rather gross.

Gideon the hero

On wednesday we started going back to this school that we usually go to. During the summer we do not go, because school is out. It is a school associated with a religion. Usually everything goes fine, kids come on, kids get rowdy, kids get stuff and go, mostly garfield. However, on wednesday the after school program person, said that everyone should make sure they get "Christian materials." Then she started nosing in this boy's stuff to see what he checked out. This boy is about 10. He reads manga, mostly Inu-Yasha, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto. He had checked out some manga and the latest Shonen Jump. She pulls his things out and makes a big deal about how they aren't "Christian" and they are like that Pokemon stuff. Then she tried to tell him he couldn't have them and them not being "Christian." She tried to get support from another adult on board, who was a teacher or something and he just didn't respond to her. He pretty much ignored her. Then she sent a student to the office with the boy to ask if these materials were ok for him. And she went off about how there aren't any books with heroes in them and that Gideon was a hero. (Heh, Heh, I should give her the romance novel entitled "Gideon" by Jacquelyn Frank. Then she'll learn what a real hero is/can do.) The boy was allowed to keep his materials on the condition he can't read them at school. I disagree with their religious perspective on the materials, but that is not where I have the biggest problem. She embarassed the boy in front of all his peers. And if these are the materials he likes, then she shouldn't discourage him from reading. But he got to keep his materials in the end, and that is the most important part.

Yesterday was interesting, we started going to a senior facility assisted living that also has a care unit for memory loss. It was interesting signing them up the patrons for cards. Some of them could remember things and others couldn't, but they were trying. They were really happy that we were coming to them. A caretaker came on with them, and I hope she helps them remember about due dates and keeping track of their books. Sometimes doing outreach makes me sad. We see a lot of seniors. A lot of them have problems and some of them pass away. Some of them don't have anyone to take care of them.

Later on, a senior said I reminded her of her niece, but I think she thought I was her niece and she wanted a hug.

I also signed up a patron who was really pregnant and she was under 18. It seems a little strange to sign up a card and give them the status of "child" when they are pregnant.

Bookmobile went to an event today!

Bookmobile went to an event this weekend. Two full days of sitting, greeting and handing out materials. We counted a total of 863 people who stopped by our booth. I handed out lots of recommended reading for kids, newsletters, and homework help fliers. We were giving away pencils and stickers. We had a quiz, if you got one right you got to pick a prize which was a toy. (We kept giving out questions until they got it right.) If they answered 3 correctly they got to pick out a pop up book. Overall it was fun, and it gets the word out about our libraries and bookmobile.

But there are a few who just want to complain to you. They want to tell you how much they don't like certain libraries in the area. It was interesting because most of them weren't ours. Go us! But this one guy came up and told us that bookmobile was a waste of taxpayers' money, to my face. He said it was 2007 everyone can get to a library. I just sort of smiled/grimaced and didn't say anything while on the inside I was Lindsay Lohan from Mean Girls where she jumps across the table and starts mauling that other girl. I was so good, I didn't yell, cuss, yell some more etc. It wasn't even worth talking to him, then he went on to complain about the overly large people at the health fair, then left. There are sooooo many people who can't get to libraries, like people with mental or physical disabilites. the elderly who are in wheelchairs or have had their license revoked, children who's parents can't or won't take them to the library, people who live in the boonies. It's great that we are able to bring them the materials that they need.

It's been a while

I know, I haven't written in a while, again. I went on vacation again. A roadtrip to Washinton State. Ate lots of good food, pesto mac, Kansas style BBQ. Then I got sick. Can I get a woohoo for getting sick on vacation.

Now I am back at work and still sick. Being on the bookmobile sick isn't nearly as fun as when you aren't sick. And the weather has been super hot. We have been driving with our older vehicle while the other was getting worked on. The older one has inferior air conditioning, if you can even call it that. Being on the bookmobile hasn't been pleasant, but I am getting better. Yesterday we were giving away summer reading books and one of our patrons, a 13 year old girl who reads a ton and loves Inu Yasha, pointed out to me the funny part in one of the volumes. One of the characters was groping another's rear. I love that she pointed out the dirty part.

Today, I hit a garbage can and knocked it over. It was fine. My boss hopped out and set it up again. We were within 30 feet of our stop and our waiting patron saw me do the deed. When she got on she said, "What the hec, knock it down," then went on to talk about inconsiderate people and how they should put away their garbage cans.

On the way out she hit her arm on the railing. She ripped off a quarter size chunk of skin and started bleeding. It's awful how fragile the elderly are. I sometimes forget that they are elderly because they are so spunky, then something happens and they get hurt. I gave her a wipe and tissue and bandaid. If I could/If she let me I probably would have banadaged up her whole arm. But that gets me thinking too, am I allowed to do this or is this something that I will get in trouble for, legally? Hmm . . . questions to ponder.

Tomato home finder, navigator and parallel parker expert

Today on the bookmobile one of our patrons asked if we would like some of her homegrown tomatoes. My coworker said that she already has some at home and I said I don't eat vegetables (but now that I think about it, tomatoes are fruit aren't they?) She was very upset that she didn't have anyone to give the tomatoes to. So, I said I would take them and find them a home.

And I parallel parked the bookmobile today! Hoorah! and I correctly navigated our way to one of our stops when we approached it from another direction! Hoorah!

My job description should now read: Bookmobile librarian, Tomato home-finder, Navigator and Parallel parker expert!

Bookmobile Lady music video

This is great!

Bookmobile Lady music video about the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries bookmobile.

In the words of Kyle 1 - I'm Back!

I am back from Comic Con 2007! It was long trip. San Diego was warm and humid. I know this is my bookmobile blog, but I was on vacation and I have semi-library book things I can talk about. So, here it is.

There was a paranormal romance panel with six different authors: Laurell K. Hamilton, Jeanne Stein, Laura Anne Gilman, Carrie Vaughn, Marjorie Liu, and Samantha Sommersby.

I got my picture taken with Marjorie Liu! She is one of my favorite authors.

I also had books signed by Carrie Vaughn (We talked music) and Laura Anne Gilman (We talked tentacles). Laura Anne Gilman signing my book!

I came home with a huge bag of books. It was awesome! And I would like to thank the Luna/Gold Eagle/Silhouette (Harlequin) booth. They were super nice. And I found out from Mel Odom how to tell which Rogue Angel books are written by which author. (They are published under the pen name of Alex Archer, but are actually written by Mel Odom, and Victor Milan, and possibly someone else.) On the copyright page, Gold Eagle gives special thanks to the real author. So now you know. Grand Central Publishing was also really great. They were really interested in the library and talking with us. They even gave my coworker freebies to give away to her teen patrons.

Where to go next . . . I met the creators of Unshelved, library comics at their best. Maybe there will be more bookmobile stories?

On an unrelated note, Mori Chack, creator of Gloomy Bear, drew me a picture! I can make it related to books, just watch me! His designer toy has been featured in two books: Dot Dot Dash and I am Plastic.

And finally, I bought a tshirt befitting all library geeks: She blinded me with library science

Overall it was great, now I have to start reading and get back to bookmobile topics. Coming up a review of Books on Wheels and a tour of the vehicle.ps I am a librarian and I have pink hair!

Vacation!

I am on vacation until next Monday! Bookmobile is great, but it is nice to take a break from work and go on an adventure.

I am off to San Diego for Comic Con. While my coworker wanders about at panels and vendors for her library conference of the year, learning stuff like a good librarian, (she orders all the comics for our library)I will roam about aimlessly.

Library Career Romances

This is one of my favorite websites http://www.jenw.org/home.htm

featuring Library Career Romances! Some of them even feature the Bookmobile! Right now I am reading Books on wheels by Mary Rebecca Lingenfelter. http://www.jenw.org/books_wheels.htm

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Crazy Lab wants to play

While on the bookmobile yesterday, I saw this girl running after 2 dogs. One was a big black lab and the other was a small blondish terrier. They were running down the sidewalk, crossing the street. I thought the girl was crazy for walking her dogs without leashes.

Then I see her run after the lab and try to put his collar back on. Once she gets it on he takes off across the street. She gets a hold of him, then he lays down in the middle of the street and rolls over. He is having a really good time.

I went over to see if I could help, and the dogs were off and wandering again. I got a hold of the lab and tried to walk it, but he sat down and rolled over, with a "der, this is fun look" on its face. When I let go, he leapt up, and ran into the street again! And a car was coming, and he was plodding along, cause it was super fun that I was chasing him. He was within a few feet of the car, when I lunged and he took off again.

When we caught them, the girl wanted to use a cell phone. So, I ran back to the bookmobile to get the cell phone and also a bungie cord. When I got back the first thing the lab did was bound up to me and lick my face and glasses. It was sooooooooo gross. Ssomeone else had walked by and let the girl use her cell phone to call her mom to come pick her up. I tied the bungie cord to the lab's collar and that seemed to make him more manageable. I left her and the crazy dogs to be picked up and I went back to the bookmobile to clean my glasses.

Historic pictures of bookmobiles in Davidson County, North Carolina

Found this today:

BOOKMOBILE LIBRARY TIMELINE for the Davidson County Public Library System in North Carolina. It shows their first bookmobile purchased in 1929. Their bookmobile was "one of the first NC libraries to offer bookmobile service throughout the county to all residents."

If you go to the Davidson County Public Library home page there are more pictures under Lexington, Denton, North Davidson, and West Davidson.

There are lots of interesting pictures of historic bookmobile trucks. It's amazing!

Hot guy waves at Bookmobile

I was driving back from our Saturday stop, and I see this convertible with two young guys in it, one with a ponytail. Mr. Ponytail, who is sitting on the passenger side, turns around and waves. And he wasn't waving because there was a chick at the wheel (like that would ever happen). He was waving because it was the Bookmobile. It was awesome.

Brokeback Mountain - Well, are the man and woman married?

So yesterday on the Bookmobile, one of our regulars who is in her 70's brings on her daughter. Her daughter is in her low 30's. They are trying to pick out audio books for a trip. The daughter picks up Brokeback Mountain, and suggests it to her mom. She says it's a love story (and I am picking up on the slight sarcasm here.) She says it is a story about all kinds of loving. And emphasizing ALL kinds of loving. I pipe up that it excludes animal loving, because a librarian is supposed to correct patrons when they are wrong.

She goes on further to say that it is a story about a man loving his wife, a man loving his daughter, a man loving a man, and a man loving a woman.

Her mom says "Are the man and woman married?"

They did not check out the item.

Bookmobile adds temporary stop

So, I feel bad, I haven't written in this thing for a while now, but in my defense work has been crazy. (Hah! and people think librarians don't do anything!)

One of our libraries has been closed while they make the move to another library. (Brand spanking new and right next door) There is only one more week left, making that a total of 6 weeks that the library has been/will be closed.

In the interim, Bookmobile has added 4 extra days a week so there will be some sort of library service available while the library is closed. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) We have 2 vehicles but normally only take out one of them 4 days a week. Now we are putting our older vehicle to work.

Bookmobile has a very small staff: 1 fulltime librarian, 1 partime librarian (That's me!), 1 partime library assistant and 1 partime clerk. The fulltime lib. and the partime lib. assistant and myself have all taken turns on who goes down to the new stop. We meet up with a worker from the other library and stay there for 4 hours.

I am pretty much working at fulltime these past weeks, while still subbing at other libraries, and my random web work. It has been crazy and I haven't had much free time.

It is interesting that many of the library patrons that we have been getting are kind of confused by Bookmobile. They don't really understand how it works. Some of them asked if it is ok to come on, or if children were allowed to come in.

Other frequently asked questions:
"This is all you have?"

Response: "We cram on as much as we can!"

Patrons are interesting

I don't know if patrons are all-confiding at stationary libraries, but patrons on the bookmobile seem to share a lot of information. Maybe it is because the bookmobile is very casual and we get to know our patrons. (We see them every two weeks. They become regulars. As a side tangent, I have always wanted to be a regular at a restaurant or something where the staff know you and are happy to see you. Well, now I have a job where I am the regular and the patrons are the regulars. It is pretty cool. Anyways, back to what I was talking about.) I wanted to share funny anecdotes about my adventures with patrons.

Patron A has a friendly dog, and he's leaving and says everyone loves his dog.
Patron B says that the dog is better than him.

Ahhh . . . patrons!

Bookmobiles on TV

Two of my favorite bookmobiles on tv would have to be the bookburning mobile from the Simpsons and the bookmobile from South Park.

"They Saved Lisa's Brain"1022 AABF18 Original Airdate: 5/09/99
http://www.thesimpsons.com/episode_guide/1022.htm
This episode is strange, but my favorite part comes when Lisa Simpson is approached by the Reverend Lovejoy in a Bookmobile. He asks her what her favorite book is. And she has a hard time deciding because there are so many good books, but she says that Jane Austen is always a favorite. The Reverend thanks her and drives away revealing he is driving a book burning mobile.

South Park Season 2 episode 203 titled "Chickenlover"
http://www.southparkstudios.com/show/display_episode.php?season=2&id1=203&id2=16
The bookmobile comes to town, and someone is molesting chickens. Of course it is the librarian!

I do drive the bookmobile and I am a librarian. Our vehicle is large but not so large that you need a special license. And it really isn't that bad to drive. Many people say they would like my job, but then they get the look of fear in their eyes, and shudder and say "Oh, but the driving would scare me to death." I repeat, it's really not that bad. I haven't had a drivers license for long and I had never driven anything this large before and it's fine.

Welcome!

I am a bookmobile librarian. Our bookmobile makes up just one part of our county library system, which is made up of several city libraries. We have our own collection of materials which we try to select for our patrons, as well as get help selecting from other librarians in our system. Patrons are also allowed to request materials that if we don't have in our collection we may request from another library. We carry all types of materials from DVD's, Videos, CDs, Large type books, regular type, adult, children's, teen, CDrom, PS2 games, and foreign language materials: Spanish, Russian, Chinese.

I am starting this blog because I felt like I couldn't find any information on bookmobiles. Or at least the information I wanted to read about: the day-to-day, the quirks, the interesting parts, etc. So here it is. I hope to add all sorts of interesting stuff with pictures.