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Utah State Library Bookmobile Program Serving rural Utah communities since 1947 |
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E-audio books from OverDrive are now available from your bookmobile library web site and from Digital Media Collections from Pioneer – Utah's Online Library Parkinson's Disease, Porter Rockwell and the Bookmobile Program ... a heartwarming story.
I just had an experience yesterday that is one of those reminder things. A lady came into the bookmobile at Eureka two weeks ago and asked if I had any books her husband hadn't read. I talked to her for a while and found out her husband has Parkinson's and has for several years, little mobility, can't speak much, and can't do much, but he loves to read and she said he has read everything. I asked about his interests. She said he was looking for Porter Rockwell #4 but I didn't have one. I picked out 10 books for him and she was on her way. I had Sherry mail the Rockwell book as I had one in the office. The same lady came in yesterday and was extremely happy to say the least. She said her husband read every book and loved every one. I didn't realize how great it was to be a part of that situation until she told me reading was his life now and it was all he could do and he loved to still be learning. I told her he was lucky to have her for a wife. She says his reading gives her a chance to do other things and so it helps both ways. I picked out ten more books, many by the same authors as last time and sent her on her way. I said we would have to keep track so we won't duplicate but I think I can keep him in books for a while. She was very happy but I don't see how she could have felt any better than I did because because I had just been reminded again how great my job is. External links
Further reading
Library Services for Speakers of Native American Languages Pilot Project
The San Juan County Bookmobile library has initiated a three-year pilot project to enhance its collection and overall services for Navajo patrons. With dedicated grants to build a culturally appropriate and linguistically relevant collection of library materials, in addition to training opportunities for library staff serving this traditionally undeserved community, the Utah State Library intends to make a positive, long-lasting impact in the communities served by the bookmobile.
Bookmobile Librarian Chad Bartlett (right) discusses the project with Juan Lee, a consultant with the Utah State Library. More than 70% of the San Juan County Bookmobile route and circulation of library materials take place on Navajo Nation lands. According to the 2006 US Census estimate, the population of San Juan County has grown to 14,265 of which 54% are Native American, primarily Navajo, and 47% of the population speak a language other than English in their homes. In addition, Navajo language and culture are being taught in most San Juan County schools and there is an increasing demand for library materials that authentically reflect characteristic features of everyday Navajo existence. For these reasons, Bookmobile Librarian Chad Bartlett articulated a project proposal to strengthen library services for Navajo patrons. Donna Jones Morris, State Librarian and Director of the Utah State Library Division has extended her support for this project and congratulated Chad Bartlett for working with other USL staff to implement activities that will pave the road to meeting the needs of Navajo residents in Utah.
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Ronald McDonald is bringing his stories and magic tricks to select bookmobile stops this summer.
Contact your local bookmobile library for a schedule of summer activities.
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State Legislators voice support for Bookmobile Program
Senator Ralph Okerlund On Thursday, February 5th the Utah State Library hosted a visit from the State Legislative Economic Development Revenue Appropriations Committee. Special guests at the program were co-chairs Senator Ralph Okerlund and Rep. Sheryl Allen. Both legislators complemented the bookmobile program, especially Senator Okerlund who emphasized the importance of Bookmobiles in providing library service to rural Utah. All five counties represented by Senator Okerlund are served by USL Bookmobiles. Highlights of the bookmobile program presented to the committee included the 200 Utah communities and 303 bookmobile stops served statewide as well as the 89 schools and the 400,000 Utahns who benefit from these services. In addition, the availability of internet access and the excellent results of the recent bookmobile customer satisfaction survey were discussed. USL reinforced the value it places on our partnership with the 15 Counties involved.
Visit the Internet Public Library for additional library services delivered via the internet.
Serve 303 bookmobile stops in 15 Utah Counties? Serve 89 schools (public, charter and Head Start) Serve over 200,000 Utah readers? Many Bookmobiles in the State Bookmobile fleet offer internet service.
State Blind Library and Rural library patrons in Sanpete County now have access to large print materials on their bookmobile thanks to a popular new “Deposit Collection Program” offered through the Utah State Blind Library. The Blind Library and the State Bookmobile Program are both services of the Utah State Library. The Library for the Blind has circulated large print books for over 20 years to visually impaired patrons living in Utah and Wyoming. Most of the books in the collection are printed in 16 to 18 pt font, depending on the publisher. Earlier this year Lisa Nelson, Special Services Coordinator at the State Library, devised the concept of “deposit accounts” to expand the availability of this popular large print book collection. The deposit collections consist of books from the Blind Library collection loaned out to other libraries for several months time. These books are then circulated through the borrowing library to people living in the area. Campbell County Library in Wyoming was the first library to take advantage of the innovative program in January 2008. In June the program was expanded to the Santa Clara Library southern Utah. There, as in Wyoming, circulation has increased every month since the service began. Building on these successes, a deposit collection was recently added to the bookmobile library serving rural Sanpete County. According to Lisa Nelson, “We've selected titles from the mystery, romance, western and biography genres to circulate in the Sanpete County Bookmobile Library. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to expand this program through our State Library Bookmobile system.” Sanpete County has a population of about 23,000 people and 11% of those or about 2,500 are senior citizens, a demographic that often takes advantage of these services. These services are made possible, in part, with funds from the Library Services and Technology Act.
State Library Technician Judy Hunt selects titles for the new Deposit Collection in Sanpete County Bookmobile Library.
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as told by Dixon Eliason, Bookmobile Librarian for the Millard County Bookmobile
Porter Rockwell
Representative Sheryl Allen
Did you know Utah Bookmobiles travel 150,000 miles each year?
