WHAT HAS FOUR WHEELS, A WRAPPER, AND IS FILLED WITH PAPER?

     Can you imagine what it would be like to stand on a two-lane country road in the hot sun and wait for a bus to come along?  Not just any bus, but a bus decorated all around its outside in bright colors and pictures.  Can you imagine how excited your little six-year-old self would be as you see it coming toward you, knowing that as soon as it stops and you climb up the steps, you'll be entering a world of pictures and color and stories?  Can you feel your heart pound with anticipation?  That bus you would be waiting for is The Bookmobile.
     Next week libraries all across the nation will be celebrating National Library Week, April 14 through 20.  Today we want to tell you about bookmobiles and specifically our bookmobile, because Thursday, April 17, is dedicated as National Bookmobile Day.
     Many bookmobiles are not staying around in this day and age.  Some have been turned into labs, complete with satellite Internet access to provide computer training classes.  Some have been turned into traveling museums of local history.  Some library systems are using bookmobiles to expand their children's services with traveling programs.
     An article in a recent edition of the Georgia Public Library Service News stated that Thomas County was home to the first Georgia bookmobile.  In The History of the Public Library of Moultrie, GA, 1906-1965 by Ellen Payne Odom, it was noted that there was a "traveling librarian in 1936."
     Our Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System still uses its bookmobile, which actually began service in 1942.  The bus that is presently being driven was "born" in 1990 and has spent its 23 years traveling a good many back roads.  We have two bookmobile assistants: Sheila, who has been with the bookmobile for 15 years, and Amanda, since 2012.  They cover all of Colquitt County, which includes twelve communities, and travel approximately 375 miles per each route rotation.  The bookmobile serves eight schools, some private schools, and many homeschoolers.  The ladies also take books into homes where patrons are homebound and unable to come out to the bookmobile.
     The bookmobile carries fiction and nonfiction books for adults, audio books (which are checked out from the main library for patrons, as well as large print books), magazines, teen books, and a wide variety of children's books.  Adult readers seem to enjoy fiction, biographies, fantasy, and Christian fiction.  The children love dinosaur and tractor books, nonfiction animal books, and fun craft books.  They not only like the classics like Mother Goose, Curious George, and Clifford the Big Red Dog, but they also like Goosebumps, Junie B. Jones, and Magic Tree House.
     Other services the bookmobile provides include Sheila and Amanda calling patrons to remind them when the bookmobile will travel their route.  Patrons are encouraged to request any material they would like to have delivered to them.  Some patrons are also able to take advantage of their PINES interlibrary loan privileges at that time.
     Also, patrons are able to obtain library cards from the bookmobile.  If they have a card with the main library, it has to be cleared with no fines.  The bookmobile keeps its patrons' cards on the bookmobile, making check-out for its readers more convenient.  It's hoped that in the future the bookmobile will be set up with a Wi-Fi hot spot so they can connect with the main library to check out books or sign up new patrons right in the bookmobile.
     When asked if they had any funny stories to tell about driving the bookmobile, Amanda said, "Learning the bookmobile's turning radius was the most challenging.  And after turning on an incline once and dumping the books from the shelves, I learned quickly to turn wide!"  Sheila's story was a little more intense.  She said, "One time I turned out of a patron's driveway and hit his small ditch.  But at least it was at a farmer's house, so he could come get us out....  Then I had to come in and tell the director about it."  For both ladies, such events have created a special bond between them.
     Now you know what rolls on four wheels, has a wrapper on it, and is filled with paper.  Oh, about that wrapper...Amanda said, "It's interesting to see the expressions from other drivers and their passengers.  The children especially seem to be the most impressed with the graphics."
     Well, I guess if I were a little six-year-old, I would be impressed, too!
     We invite you to visit our library next week, during National Library Week, and say hello to our staff.  Let them know how glad you are that the library is here for you and that you appreciate their help.  They would love to hear from you.
     And the next time you see The Bookmobile on the road, be sure to give the ladies a big wave and smile!  I bet they'll wave back at you!
    

What are you doing April 8th through the 14th?

     We hope you'll be at our library!  That's the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library at 204 5th Street, Southeast, in Moultrie, Georgia.  (Or you can visit in the same building our Odom Genealogical Library or our Doerun Municipal Library at 185 North Freeman Street in Doerun, Georgia.)
     You see, that's the week we celebrate National Library Week.  
     This special Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (commonly called the ALA) and libraries across the country each April.  It's a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use.
      Every day across the country, libraries open their doors to everyone: students, parents, seniors, teachers, writers, artists, job seekers, entrepreneurs, readers, gamers, movie lovers, and travel buffs.
     "Without librarians, I wouldn't be a writer today," bestselling author and Honorary Chair of National Library Week, Brad Meltzer says about the impact of libraries on his life.  (You can find several of his books in our library.)
     Also, spending quality time with our kids and teens is critical to their growth and development - and it fosters strong bonds and relationships.  But, in our fast-paced lives, finding opportunities for quality time together can be a daily challenge.  (In fact, one way to help our teens is the newly created Teen Library Board.  For more information, contact Michele Croft, Children's Library Coordinator.)
      We're working and commuting longer hours.  Our kids' schedules are packed.  Budgets are tight.  And planning even small outings takes time and energy.
     Fortunately, there are a variety of things to do, new adventures to begin, and amazing things to learn - right at your library.  (Keep your eyes open for more information about our upcoming, new adult book club, "Between the Covers.")
     And libraries are the place to connect with your kids.  School and public libraries open up new worlds, spark imagination, encourage reading, help develop critical thinking, and prepare and support kids and teens in school and life.  (Sign-up for the Children's Reading Program in June is all during May.)
     And most of the materials and programs available at your library are free!  (You can receive a free library card just by asking staff at the front counter.)
     On Tuesday, April 10th, we will be celebrating National Library Workers Day.  Our theme for this year is "Libraries Work Because We Do!"  Stop by and say hello, let us know you appreciate having a library card and this public library which is available to you.
     On Wednesday, April 11th, we'll give thanks to Holly and Sheila, our Bookmobile staff, as we celebrate National Bookmobile Day.  After all, if it weren't for them, many people in our surrounding community, who can't make it to the library, would not have good reading material.  They begin their routes again the last of this month after a brief break from traveling.
     And I want to mention a couple of wonderful accomplishments by two of our staff members.  Holly Philips and Michele Croft will receive their Masters in Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University on May 5th.  Congratulations, ladies!  We are so proud of you.
     Remember National Library Week, April 8th through 14th.  "You Belong @ the Library."  We'll be looking for you.

National Library Week, April 13-19...Come Visit Us

We've been busy around here: cleaning and dusting, making our book shelves straight, wiping down computers, watering plants, plumping couch pillows. All those things you do to get ready for company.
Next week is the 50th anniversary of National Library Week.
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.
It's a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide -- and the perfect time for you to discover how you can Join the Circle of Knowledge @ Your Library.
At our library, people of all backgrounds can come together for community meetings, lectures and programs, to do research with the assistance of a trained professional, to get a job or find homework help, or to just sit in the comfortable reading area and read the newspaper or a good book.
We're putting up our posters of Julie Andrews, spokesperson for the 2008 National Library Week celebration. We're putting up our poster with pictures of our "star" library helpers here at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library and the Doerun Library. And we're readying the large plastic bags that say "Celebrate! National Library Week!" that we plan to distribute.
We hope you'll come visit us and see what we have for you. More than books, you know! Lots more!

"Food For Fines" During National Library Week

If you have fines on several late books, this event is for you.
During National Library Week, April 13-19, the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library and the Doerun Municipal Library will be holding "Food For Fines." That means all you have to do to reduce your library fine is bring food.
One canned or packaged food item equals 50 cents off your fine. So if you bring 4 food items, $2 will be taken off your fine! Isn't that easy??!!
The food will be given to the Colquitt County Food Bank to help all those people who so desperately need food to feed their families.
But don't let NOT having any fines to pay keep you from donating. You can still bring food items and place them in the Colquitt County Food Bank buggy. It will make you feel really good to help!