Bookmobile's blog

I just got a really nice email from someone I've known for many years. Duncan Rand was with the library when I first started driving around, delivering books. Here's what he had to say for my birthday:

Thank you for the opportunity to say congratulations.. Twenty five years! Amazing... How many children and home bound moms have benefited over the years from this service!... Memories are fading a bit but one must mention a great library advocate and user Paddy Bowman, who along with his grand daughter assisted Mayor Andy Anderson with cutting the ribbon to open the service. Both since gone to the great library, council chamber or other place of rest in the sky. Thank you.
To John Gogo, then our MLA and possibly a minister connected to library service, you are remembered with thanks also for the aid you gave us in grants for this grand old bucket. Intercontinental Truck Body, Coaldale for building it so well. George Hall for the grantsmanship to refurbish upgrade and maintain the vehicle, which included the permission to apply the Garfield cartoon... genius! Finally to the ladies (sorry, our splendid staff of the feminine gender!) who have taken their driving courses, their air brakes qualifications, stuffed their heads under the hood and into the engine in all weather summer and winter to ensure the books get through and kids and adults are not disappointed. Not only do they drive so safely, (Ewald Bier, then head of maintenance, was also our early driver instructor )but they know their collection, and they remember who wants what authors to read... that's one of the things that make the service so special.
Especially to the long time leader, there forever day in and day out, Brenda Howe, her early assistants Rhonda Homulous, Carol Vida, Helen, and Diane Billeck, and apologies for my forgetting others... Thank you.
What a special day... congratulations and best wishes for the many next years to come!!
Duncan Rand, used-to-be Chief, Lethbridge Public Library
 

I've started to count down to my big birthday party next month.  

Only 25 days to go!

Are you going to come?  The part is on July 17th, from noon to 4:00pm.  It's going to be a really fun time, with a barbecue, cake, balloons, stories, the University of Lethbridge Steel Band and more!  It's all taking place in the parking lot on the East side of the Bowman Arts Centre, which is to the North side of the library.  As long as the weather cooperates, we're bound to have a great time.

You can download a copy of my party invitation by clicking here.  It has all the important information on it, so you don't forget to come!

One of my drivers is also a famous author - Anita Horrocks! She came to work with me a few years ago, and we've had lots of fun meeting kids and helping them sign out her books.

What’s your favourite part about working on the bookmobile?
The best part about working on the bookmobile is being able to get to know the people who visit us. Many people who use the bookmobile are regular customers; it’s fun to see their smiling faces every week, recommend books, hear about what they’ve been reading and just have a chance to share our enthusiasm for stories. I especially like getting to know the kids who come in regularly with their parents. It’s a lot of fun to see them sit down on the bench or floor and eagerly start paging through a book.

What’s your least favourite part?
I don’t think I have a least favourite part – well, maybe helping to empty the sewage tanks!

Which is your favourite time to work on the bookmobile?
My regular driving shift is Tuesday evenings, and I’ve also been driving fairly regularly on Monday evenings, which I love because special people like Henry, Simon, Thomas, Harmony and Grace come to visit with their parents. They always come in with a big smile, and are always excited to choose new stories to read.

Are you still working on your Bookmobile jokes and haikus? The deadline for my little contest is May 16th, so make sure you get your entries in by Sunday night. You can send them to pmcgeorge@lethbridgepubliclibrary.ca or post them in the comments here on my blog.

Here's a limerick that some of my staff member friends made up the other day:

There once was a blue bookmobile
Whose many attractions had great appeal
It roamed far and wide
Even to the west side
For 25 years - that's a big deal!