CHICAGO — As many Americans continue to pinch pennies during this difficult economic time, bookmobile use has become more popular than ever. Bookmobiles bring a wealth of resources to users wherever they are, and on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 communities across America will celebrate our nation’s bookmobiles and the vital services they provide during National Bookmobile Day @ your library.
Celebrated during National Library Week (April 8 – 14), National Bookmobile Day is an opportunity for bookmobile fans to make their support known—through thanking bookmobile staff, writing a letter or email to their libraries or voicing their support to community leaders.
Bookmobiles, like libraries, continue to meet the needs of their communities by offering free access to the latest technology and materials to users of all ages. By offering the same quality services available in libraries, patrons can search the Web, take a computer class, participate in resume workshops, listen to preschool story hours or check out books and DVDs.
“In times of economic hardship, Americans turn to – and depend on – their libraries and librarians,” said ALA President Molly Raphael. “Bookmobiles ensure that while communities are in critical need of library services, everyone has access, no matter where they are — rural areas, cities or suburbs.”
Bookmobiles — as extensions of libraries — bring services where libraries can’t go, enabling library systems to reach and serve isolated communities and provide service to children, disabled adults, older adults, people with health issues and those who lack or cannot afford transportation.
Not only do bookmobiles visit neighborhood stops and schools, but they also serve day care centers, elementary and high schools, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons and individual residences for home delivery.
Held on the Wednesday of National Library Week since 2010, National Bookmobile Day (NBD) recognizes and celebrates the role of bookmobiles and direct-delivery outreach services in fulfilling the mission of libraries. An integral and vital part of library service in the United States for over 100 years, bookmobiles provide access to information and technology and supply resources for life-long learning to Americans of all walks of life.
National Bookmobile Day is sponsored by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS), the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS), and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).
To learn more about National Bookmobile Day or find out about events at your local library, please visit http://www.ala.org/bookmobiles.
Source: American Library Association
