Rolling Out the Books

Brunswick County’s new bookmobile brings books, technology and programs directly to neighborhoods, childcare centers and community events across the county.

If you can’t come to a library, the library can come to you. Books in Brunswick County are getting their wheels on the new Brunswick County Library Bookmobile. Hop on the bus to get a library card, browse and check out books, place books from other library branches on hold to pick up on the next scheduled visit, return books and library materials, attend library programs, get assistance with online resources, and use free WiFi.

In March 2024, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase of a custom bookmobile from Matthews Specialty Vehicles in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 2023, $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-enabled funding had been approved, and Brunswick County provided another $43,320 for the project. Bookmobile planning and modifications have been underway ever since.

“The Bookmobile provides a way to bring the library to the community in cases where the community can’t come to the library,” says Patricia Dew, Brunswick County library director. “With this new mobile branch, the Brunswick County Library can traverse the entire county to reach residents from Northwest, to Ash, Bolivia, Sandy Creek, Supply, Longwood and everywhere in between.”

That includes seniors in residential living situations, residents of income-based housing and young children in childcare facilities. Housed in a 26-foot-long Ford E450 shell, the Bookmobile will be visiting 15 of the 16 licensed childcare facilities in Brunswick County, reaching approximately 1,000 children on a regular three-week rotation. Some of the Bookmobile’s collection will be used to service Brunswick Community College’s Access to Achievement and Brunswick Interagency Program for adults with special needs.

The Bookmobile will be parked at the Southwest Branch when not in service, typically one day per week, for maintenance, restocking and staff training.

The Bookmobile is in the capable hands of Bookmobile Manager Kate Lenz. In addition to Lenz, it is staffed with one full-time library assistant and several part-time employees.

“In my former career as a teacher, I saw how library access was limited for many children,” Lenz says. “As a library assistant, I also saw how transportation was an issue, especially for seniors. Our county is large, and there are many areas that are underserved. I’m excited to bring library resources to these areas.”

Lenz is well-prepared for her role. She has a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary liberal studies with a minor in inclusive early childhood education and a master of arts in teaching inclusive early childhood education from James Madison University. In 2023 she completed her master of library science degree with a concentration in public libraries through East Carolina University and obtained her North Carolina Public Librarian certification. She was the youth services specialist library assistant at Brunswick County’s Leland Library Branch, library technician with the User Services Department at the UNCW Library and a part-time children’s assistant at New Hanover County Public Library.

Attention to every detail will keep the mobile library running effectively and efficiently.

“Everything that happens at a physical branch — processing new materials, reshelving, gathering requests, social media and designing promotional materials — will be completed on the Bookmobile while keeping up the multiple-stop schedule. We will keep records of what stop a patron uses so that we can bring the books they place on hold to that location. Anything a patron can access in the NC Cardinal System, like movies and books on CD, can be brought to a scheduled stop,” Lenz says.

Friends of the Library Southport & Oak Island (FOLSOI), a nonprofit organization providing financial and operational support to the Southport and Oak Island library branches, approached the St. James Foundation of North Carolina for consideration of a grant for the startup of the Bookmobile.

“Startup is especially important given the first impressions the Bookmobile will make,” says Cindy Phillips, president of the FOLSOI board of directors. “It will set the tone for its use in coming years.”

The $3,000 grant has been used to purchase graphic novels, books from the NC Battle of the Books selection lists, and Young Adult selections in addition to the traditional children’s picture books.

These books will be organized by author’s last name while adult fiction and nonfiction will use the Dewey Decimal System.

“I’m very excited to finally get resources to citizens of the county who have been unable to reach them, and that’s not limited to books,” Lenz says. “I’m excited to foster a love for reading with our youngest visitors while also trying to catch teens and young adults who may have lost their reading interest.”

Dew adds that the Bookmobile allows the library to participate in a wider variety of community events like festivals, parades and community gatherings. The weekly schedule has been designed to leave Saturdays unscheduled to allow the Bookmobile to stop at parks and rec centers, pop-up events and community celebrations.

“Bringing recreation and education to everyone is a joy of my job,” Dew says. “Not everyone can make it to a library during the week or is even aware of everything a Brunswick County Library offers. Bringing the Bookmobile to the community fills that gap. It’s a visible reminder of how important the library is for everyone.”

“Come visit us. We can’t wait to connect with you,” Lenz adds.

WHAT’S INSIDE THE BOOKMOBILE?
-Children’s Board Books, Picture Books, Fiction Books and Nonfiction Books
-Young Adult, Adult and Large- Print Fiction and Nonfiction Books
-Checkout Desk with Staff Computer and Printer
-ADA-compatible Wheelchair Lift
-Carts for Outdoor Pop-Up Events
-Speakers and a Public Address (PA) System
-Heat and Air Conditioning
-Public WiFi
-Staff Refrigerator and Microwave

LEARN MORE
Brunswickcountync.gov/160/Library
BrunswickCountyLibrary