St. Petersburg, Florida — The St. Petersburg Library System launched its new Bookmobile at the end of May.
This exciting new initiative will bring the library to residents all over the city, stopping at rec centers, summer camps, community events, and will even have a dedicated route in the fall, which includes visiting assisted living facilities, daycare centers, and more.
A Dream Come True for Library Outreach
“It’s the ultimate dream,” said Tricia Smith, Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator for the St. Petersburg Library System. “You work for a library, and it’s really exciting when you can say we have a bookmobile and can take it out in the community.”
The Bookmobile allows the library to not only have a table at outreach events but also bring a physical library experience right into neighborhoods.
Bringing Books to the People
On board, the Bookmobile carries about 1,000 books, which are carefully curated for the specific locations they visit.
For example, stops at rec centers or schools feature more kid-friendly content, while events like Halloween on Central offer a more diverse range of materials.
Smith explained that the Bookmobile expands the library’s reach: “We’ve always had a presence in the community and went to outreach events and partner events with our community partners, but this gives us much more visibility and ability to do that.
Previously, we would just have a table set up and we could give out library cards, but now we can actually bring part of the library into the community, bring books for folks to check out.”
Creating Excitement for Young Readers
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Bookmobile has been seeing the excitement from children.
Smith shared a touching moment: “When you have a kid that comes on the Bookmobile and they see that book that they want… and they are so excited about it. It’s just, it’s so exciting for me to see how happy they are when you have that book they want, and to know that you’ve done a good job and you picked the right collection.”
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Expanding Library Services
In addition to offering books for checkout, the Bookmobile also provides access to other library services like e-books and the opportunity to sign up for a library card.
“The community has been really receptive to it and it has helped us to kind of get in some spaces where we haven’t been before,” Smith said.
With such a warm response from the community, the St. Petersburg Library System’s Bookmobile is truly a success story, offering convenience, education, and joy for all ages.
What do you think of the new Bookmobile? Share your thoughts below! For more updates on local community services and programs, visit ridgecrestpact.org
