By Barb Pert Templeton
“Exciting.”
It’s the word used to describe the current state of the St. Clair County Library System (SCCLS) bookmobile that launched in the county last August and is going strong today.
Bookmobile Branch Lead Andrew Kercher said “we are happy to report the state of the bookmobile is, in a single word, exciting.”
St. Clair County Library System Director Allison S. Arnold MLIS, provided a bit of background and specific details about the bookmobile when it was reintroduced in the community last summer.
At that time, Arnold said bringing the bookmobile back was a long-standing goal of the library system and that it was a key promise made during a 2022 millage campaign. She noted that
The Branch Lead for the St. Clair County Library System bookmobile is Andrew Kercher, pictured here with the bus.
while this was not the first time SCCLS has offered bookmobile service, noting the 108-year history of the library certainly included several iterations of mobile outreach, it had been many years since the system last brought books and resources directly to neighborhoods.
Still, in that earlier interview about the bookmobile, Arnold said the bookmobile is more than just a nod to the past—it’s a strategic investment in the future of library service in St. Clair County.
To find out how things are going with the bookmobile Blue Water Healthy Living sent questions to Branch Lead Andrew Kercher who replied back via email.
Blue Water Healthy Living: How is the bookmobile hosted by the St. Clair County Library System doing now that’s it’s been in local communities for about six months?
Bookmobile Branch Lead Andrew Kercher: Things have been going great on the bookmobile as we continue to roll out new stops and programs throughout the county. We’ve logged well over 5,000 miles on the odometer, and are putting on more each week.
BWHL: Has it been popular with both adults and children?
Kercher: The bookmobile is designed to bring books and media to all types of audiences, and we are able to customize our loadout based on our stop. When we go to an elementary school, we carry mostly children’s books, whereas when we are visiting a senior center, we carry three full carts of just Large Print materials.
BWHL: Can you share some examples of what special events the book mobile has attended in its first year in the community?
Kercher: We have gone from events like Sandfest and the St. Mary McCormick School Fair to parades like Capac Cranberry Christmas or the St. Clair Township Halloween stroll. Special events make up a good chunk of our schedule in the summer months, with more regular stops in the winter when there are less outdoor events.
BWHL: Can you explain what a typical book mobile visit includes? How many people are on board to assist the public at these stops?
Kercher: In a typical stop, we set up for at least two hours to allow patrons to come on board, browse our collection of over three thousand books, movies, video and board games. They can also return materials from other branches, and even apply for or renew a library card.
BWHL: Who’s in charge of the book mobile for each visit?
Kercher: Our staff is still relatively small with just Andrew Kercher as Branch Lead and Mark Mackela as library branch assistant. So. if the bookmobile is out and about, we are in it. We are fortunate that many are fascinated by the bookmobile and we can draw our own crowd. Many have fond memories of the bookmobile in past years, and who wouldn’t love a library that rolls up to your door?
BWHL: What’s the most popular item on the bookmobile?
Kercher: Our most popular item is no doubt our books, however video games have also proven to be quite popular. Some patrons don’t realize that you can check out board and video games not only from the bookmobile but other branches as well.
BWHL: How have the free wi-fi services offered on board been received? Is it utilized often?
Kercher: The onboard wi-fi is a relatively new addition to the services we offer, and I imagine that it will be more popular in summer months when we have people gather outside the bookmobile and not just pop on board.
BWHL: If someone borrows books from the bookmobile how long can they keep them – is that similar to the borrowing system at the branch libraries?
Kercher: Books and other materials on board the bookmobile can be checked out for a full 28- days, and occasionally a little longer if we are visiting a regular stop. Say the fourth Tuesday of the month, items will be due the next time we return.
BWHL: Where can the bookmobile books be returned to? Can late fines be incurred it the books aren’t returned on time?
Kercher: Materials can also be returned to any of our brick and mortar branches The St. Clair County Library system is actually a fine free library, so while there may be a charge for lost materials, as long as we get it back, we are happy.
BWHL: Are there any locations you’ve haven’t been able to add to the bookmobile schedule yet that you’d really like to see on your list?
Kercher: We are still looking to add more stops throughout the county, with an extra emphasis on municipalities that do not have a physical location. We have posted a short list of public stops available now, and that list will grow as we continue to meet with other potential stops.
BWHL: How much notice is needed to schedule a book mobile visit? Is the schedule limited to public venues so far? Can someone request a visit to their child’s birthday party?
Kercher: We ask for at least a couple weeks heads up, (a month is much better) to schedule the bookmobile at any special stops. All of the information for the request can be filled out in a form on the library website under the “bookmobile” section under the branches section. The link for the request form is right here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/StClairCountyLibrarySystem/SCCLSBookmobileRequestForm We take all requests on a case by case basis, based on our availability.
