It came as a surprise to us here at the bookmobile to realize that it has already been 5 years since we changed our name from the Bookmobile to Mobile Library Services. 5 years! To think that back around that time, there was real concern that the program would be ending. When Allegheny County decided that they could no longer afford to be in the 'library business', the future looked pretty dim.
The future just ended up looking different: different focus for the service, different model for funding, and a different staff. I won't go over the details again - it is a story that has been told many times - but I know that there were many in the county that couldn't imagine that the bookmobile could survive all the changes.
I'm delighted to say we survived and thrived, thanks to a great, hardworking staff of dedicated people and the support of the great libraries here in Allegheny County. We continue to provide high quality services, we visit nearly 100 locations around the county each month, and bring the library to thousands of county residents 6 days a week.
So we thought it appropriate to celebrate our success, and most importantly, celebrate the people who rely on the bookmobile for their library. We call it our 5th (plus 50) Anniversary Celebration. These past 5 years have built on the solid foundation of 50 years of service in Allegheny County and we are looking to current and past users and staff to share their reminiscences and experiences. We are planning a scrapbook of everything we gather, something solid to house what is so ephemeral, our memories. We will have an online copy too.
Please take a moment and jot down what makes the bookmobile special to you, your family, your community. Have a funny story? Share it! Have an old photo of the bookmobile or a visit on board? Share it! Have you been coming to the bookmobile since you were little and now bring your kids? Tell us about it! Do you now bring your mom and dad? I know some of you that do - share the story! Did you used to work for the bookmobile? Share one of those great stories that have been passed down from bookmobile staff generation to generation. Do your kids - or you - love to draw? Draw us your image of the bookmobile! You are only limited by your imagination - we are ready for just about anything: poems, drawings, video, posters, photos, letters, anecdotes and so on and so on.
Get all your great memories down on paper or cd and to us by July 31st - of course we will be thrilled to get your input any time. Ask your bookmobile librarian for further information.
I know I am looking forward to what you all have to say!
Book: In search of our ancestors: 101 inspiring stories of serendipity and connection in discovering our family history, compiled by Megan Smolenyak
Book: Creating junior genealogists: tips and activities for family history fun, by Karen Frisch
Book: 601 great scrapbook ideas, by editors of Memory Makers Books
DVD: Heritage album tips and techniques
Movie: Joy luck club
Movie: Avalon
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