Driving readership: Niagara Falls Public Library’s Bookmobile brings the gift of reading to those who cannot visit the branch
November 19, 2024
Reading is often described as "the gift that keeps on giving." In fact, 64% of parents say that reading helps their child to be successful in school. Yet it’s easy to take access to books for granted. Whether it’s the library, a large bookstore, or (increasingly) online, many never have to worry about being unable to find their next read.
So what about those who are less mobile and lack access to a local branch or store? What about those without unlimited (or any) Wi-Fi?
Well, Niagara Falls Public Library has tried to find a solution: Their increasingly popular Bookmobile.
Led by a three-person team, the Bookmobile is a fully functional library branch welded to the back of a Sprinter 3500 extended-length, extended-height van. After three years of planning, it launched May 3, 2024.
During the summer, this intrepid team led weekly visits to parks and pools across the city in support of the Summer Reading Club. Kids could sign up, report their reading and collect special bookmobile beads for a summer reading necklace.
Throughout the year, there are outreach visits to local high schools and elementary schools, shelters, public housing sites and co-op adult education classes. You’ll even find this library on wheels at Canada Day festivities and the Santa Claus parade! By the end of October, the team had performed 270 stops for 503.5 hours of Bookmobile service, serving 3,415 people throughout Niagara Falls.
“The Bookmobile allows us to do what we’ve always done — get out into the community with information about library service,” says Greg Janssen, Community Engagement Librarian (and occasional Bookmobile driver) with Niagara Falls Public Library. “Only now we can bring library service along for the ride, with the goal of sowing library love all across the Falls.”
Greg adds that the goal of the Bookmobile is taking the library beyond the walls of the library’s three branches and into the community, “Where we can connect with those who need us but can't easily get to us, as well as those who may never have heard of us before or may not be aware of all we have to offer.”
Greg also makes sure to credit the growing bookmobile movement throughout Ontario, including long-time services in Guelph, Hamilton and Toronto.
If you’re ever in the area and want to step inside, visit https://nflibrary.ca/Bookmobile for a map and a list of regular weekly stops!