ZOOM! Library2Go Bookmobile

Welcome to Library Lions interviews Raising a Roar for libraries and the outstanding librarians serving youth in schools and public libraries across the U.S. Today we’re on the road. Can you feel the zoom? Librarian John Tun is stopping off to tell us about his travels with the Library2Go Bookmobile here in King County.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work with Library2Go:

I am a reference librarian at the Bellevue Library and once a month, I get to drive the big red Library2Go Bookmobile van and visit the Bellevue neighborhood communities.

Our vehicle carries approximately 1,500 library items for all ages including books, audiobooks, DVDs and music CDs that are available for check out at each stop. The vehicle is designed with several green features, including solar panels on the roof that recharge the batteries and interiors furnished with recycled materials.

Collections for these vehicles are funded in part by generous donations from the King County Library System Foundation. Local Friends of the Library groups have also supported Library2Go!

The Skinny: What do you love most about your work with the book mobile?

Meeting the kids and their families during our visits. There’s something special about the library coming to where people live and play; it makes the interactions more intimate and easygoing. I especially love the excitement we see in our patrons, especially the kids! Their enthusiasm makes our visits seem like Christmas morning.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the KCLS Library2Go is that we get to bring library materials to people who cannot visit the library. We never get tired of the surprise and joy that lights up in a reader who visits our bookmobile for the first time and sees all that we have to offer in such a compact venue.

On The Road: Describe a typical day for you and L2G.

A colleague and I prepare the van with updated items from the library’s collection and stop at various designated stops during the afternoon visits. Our stops include the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club ht

and various apartment housing complexes in east Bellevue. Throughout our stops, we take notes on who wants more of what and make sure we stock it for our next visit. Our afternoon runs usually take four hours total.

Readers Roar:

For what may have been a tough day in a life of a teen, one of our youth readers exclaimed “This is the best part of my day – the library coming here and me getting to choose anything I want!”
–Anna, 7^th grade

Book Brag: What three books are hot this year? Why?

For all the historical and science buffs I would highly recommend Sam Kean’s The Violinist’s Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, As Written by Our Genetic Code.

Kean is a natural at explaining complex topics through remarkable historical events and anecdotes. This work on the topic of DNA, Kean weaves stories and historical accounts including JFK’s bronze skin and Paganini’s ultra-flexible thumbs and fingers.

Also, anything by Tamora Pierce, the winner of the 2013 Edwards Award! Can’t go wrong with the classics: Song of the Lioness and Protector of the Small series.

ONE LAST ROAR: Anything more to Roar about, John?

Yes! Library2Go Mobile Learning Labs are Coming Soon.

Using funds from the 2004 Capital Bond that funded Library2Go! mini-bookmobiles in 2010, KCLS has ordered four new mobile computer lab trucks. Similar to the mini-bookmobile service, these vehicles will rotate among the 47 libraries. Local librarians aboard these vehicles will offer computer instruction workshops. At the beginning of this service, workshop topics will include engagement of school-aged children learning science and math, people learning English, as well as adults with general interests. These workshops will focus on using library resources. Each vehicle will have seven patron computer stations. This service will begin in early 2013.

Last but not least, after a year of construction, the Bellevue Library Parking Lot will reopen in early 2013 with a three-level parking garage. Stay tuned! The grand re-opening is currently scheduled to be in May 2013.

Let’s Link:

Bellevue Library Website

Library2Go info

Bellevue Library Facebook

Thank you for driving L2G by Library Lions today, John, and for the terrific interview!

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Note to Librarians: If you’re a Youth Librarian working in a school or public library we’d love to hear about you and your library. Email Janet on the Contact page on this website for an interview.