Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) — The newest Bookmobile from the Rapid City Public Library is making the rounds as we head into summer, making sure kids have the books they need to keep reading all season.
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Step inside the bookmobile and you’ll find nearly 2,000 different books.
Library staff members try to tailor the selections based on the events they attend.
“…they are able to get everything they need through us. And we’re able to bring all that we can from the main branch to them and kind of continue that kind of love of reading. It’s been really fulfilling for us,” Library Associate Lead Brady Jones said.
One of today’s stops is the Westhills Village Retirement Community, helping people who might not be able to access the public library downtown.
“They can take a few steps and come right out here, they have a variety of books to choose from. So it is a great experience for everyone, even staff. I’ve had staff very excited that they can just come on out here and check out a book,” Rapid City Resident Bethany Bogner said.
The Bookmobile is making 12 stops each week to kick off the library’s summer reading challenge.
“I think one of the most fulfilling things we can do is keep those reading skills alive through the summer, just to make sure that the kids are ready for the next school year. And for many kids in the area, this is actually the only library that they visit. And the fact that it’s such a fun way to kind of view the library is really great,” Bogner said.
“So I look at the books as well and try to get some different books because he wants the same book all the time so looking at different kinds of books and encouraging those kids to keep reading is very important, no matter what age you are,” Jones said.
In the past year, the Bookmobile has checked out more than 3,000 items and welcomed over 7,000 guests.
The Bookmobile can be found across Rapid City Friday through Tuesday at several events such as the Black Hills Farmers Market and Family Food Truck Night.
