Skokie (IL) Public Library Bookmobile--'a gathering spot where everybody knows your name'

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More than 900 bookmobiles serve communities throughout the United States. A popular one is operated by the Skokie (Illinois) Public Library, a suburb of 60,000 people just northwest of Chicago. The bookmobile has been serving the community for fifty years.

According to an article in the Skokie News, “…The Skokie Bookmobile has never been more popular than it is right now. It's an often forgotten part of what makes this library so special and has earned it accolades throughout the state and beyond.

“Scores of residents visit the Bookmobile at its regular stops every week, some of whom also use the main library while others consider the library-on-wheels all that they need.

“A consensus among them is that the Bookmobile is not only valuable because of its mobile resources, but because of the people who run it,” according to the article.

Read more about this community treasure: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/skokie/news/3130912,skokie-bookmobile-03311-s1.article

On Wednesday, April 13, communities across America will celebrate the 2nd annual National Bookmobile Day @ your library.

Celebrated in conjunction with National Library Week (April 10 – 16), 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 go where library branches can’t,” said ALA President Roberta Stevens.  “Today, libraries are being asked to do more with less, and mobile services are often among the first areas to be eliminated. Unfortunately, that translates into lost opportunities for people to connect with libraries. When you support bookmobiles, you open a world of learning, inspiration and entertainment.”

Bookmobiles are particularly important service for small communities that are geographically isolated. Patrons at many bookmobile stops include families, disabled adults, senior citizens, people with health issues and people who do not drive.  In addition to neighborhood stops, bookmobiles also serve day care centers, elementary and high schools, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and individual residences for home delivery.

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.