Bookmobile programming

[Mike Cleaves]

How do you handle programming on such a small scale? We’d love to add more onsite programming during community visits and special events, but space and resources aren’t always available.

What works for you? Do you adapt traditional library programs, create pop-up activities, partner with local groups, or focus on portable, passive options? We’re looking for ideas that fit into a limited footprint, with little to no budget, can be done relatively quickly, and require no follow-up. We often do take-home crafts, puppet shows, and limited summer reading activities at our weekly appointment stops in educational facilities but haven’t worked out a good strategy for one-off events where we can't follow up with patrons. 

[Tameka Roby]

I cannot stress this enough.......BUTTON MAKERS.  Do you have a button maker?  We have had HUGE success.  Not very expensive, people love, as you can make templates, or they can design their own.  Our first machine was about $100.  The most expensive one we bought was $300.  The bigger issue is finding the magnetized supplies, versus the "pins".  As we prefer the magnets. 

Another low cost, interactive one for us: Seed Exchanges and plant exchanges have worked very well for us as well—patrons bring the plants and seeds and we just kinda serve as the "host" of the exchange.  And its all Free!  We have a lot of Master Gardening groups around BAton Rouge, and the love to get together and talk plants.  

Mounted Police/K-9 demonstrations paired with Pet adoptions are another big hit.  We had "coffee and cats" with our local cat resue.  Doughnuts with dogs is our next endeavor.  Low to no cost, as we typically serve as the "host".  

Thanks, 

Tameka 

 

Tameka Roby

East Baton Rouge Parish Library

Bookmobile and Outreach Services 

3434 North Boulevard

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Bookm...@ebrpl.com

Office: (225) 302-5515 

Cell: (225) 939-3155

http://www.ebrpl.com/

 

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From: abos-o...@googlegroups.com <abos-o...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mike Cleaves <mcle...@rclstn.org>
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2025 9:04 AM
To: ABOS-Outreach <abos-o...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [ABOS-Outreach] Bookmobile programming

 

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How do you handle programming on such a small scale? We’d love to add more onsite programming during community visits and special events, but space and resources aren’t always available.

What works for you? Do you adapt traditional library programs, create pop-up activities, partner with local groups, or focus on portable, passive options? We’re looking for ideas that fit into a limited footprint, with little to no budget, can be done relatively quickly, and require no follow-up. We often do take-home crafts, puppet shows, and limited summer reading activities at our weekly appointment stops in educational facilities but haven’t worked out a good strategy for one-off events where we can't follow up with patrons. 

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[Alicia Rodriguez]

DItto to button maker.  I saw this at a car show and asked our outreach department to order us each a button maker. 

We also do bookmark decorating with our logo our PR department created or just a bookmark kit to color

We also have branded bubbles to give away.

Also teaming up with organizations if they can provide the craft.  We have a partnership with the zoo and they provide the craft we 

bring the librarian for a story time.  

I Hope this helps.

Alicia

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Alicia M. Rodriguez

Adult Librarian III 

Bilingual 

Exposition Park Branch

3900 S Western Ave 

Los Angeles, CA 90062

(323) 290-3113

[Kaylee Stanfield]

We keep coloring sheets and art supplies on the Bookmobile at all times.  We also have hula hoops and yard games for fair weather months.  We use donated books and discards to make a monthly book box raffle box that teens can enter to win.  Each box comes with a free book they can keep along with treats like drink mixes, bath bombs, socks, stickers, etc.  I pick up box supplies from the local dollar tree and $5 below stores.  We also rdo monthly themed wrapped "surprise reads" books.  I slide bookmarks, stickers, candies, and tea packets into the paper folds.  July's theme was "Summer Slays" which featured summer mystery/thrillers.  We also have a STEM box which has potion and slime supplies.  Our decorate your own notebook program is also a big hit.  We keep notebooks and artbooks along with stickers and art supplies on the Bookmobile so that kids and teens always have something easy to do.

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[Kimberly Millan]

There are a variety of programs that can be done. Get with your local community clubs and afterschool programs such as Boys and Girls Club and your local Rec Center. Here in Moultrie Georgia we have a large canopy that stretches out from the side of our Mobile Library van to provide shade on hot days. We also have stackable benches that look almost like origami but can hold 400 lbs and an intercom system that can be used with a microphone or just to play music to draw attention to our event. Most of our interior shelving are carts that can be rolled out of the back of the van to allow for set up in buildings such as nursing home events but they also lock into the walls of the van to serve as a more traditional mobile library. I'm sending you a picture of the benches we use. 

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Kimberly Millan

Bookmobile Associate

Moultrie, Colquitt County Library System

(229)985-6540

(229)454-6330

[Mike Cleaves]

Thanks for all the helpful advice! This has been something I've struggled with for a few years now and you'll all given me a good place to start! 

[eantes]

I'm not sure what your budget looks like but I book programming similar to what we do in the branches. For example, this summer I had a face painter, balloon twister and a musician who brought drums on different weeks at each site. In the past, I have booked other folks who can adapt their programs to outdoors... zoo, STEAM focused, bubble person, magician, etc. 

It takes a good amount of coordination and communication to make sure they understand that they won't be in a branch with A/C or anything, but has been extremely successful for me!

[Diana Graham]

Kimberly- could you send purchasing information for the origami benches, please? Those are so interesting!

Diana Graham

Outreach and Programming Manager

dgr...@glynncounty-ga.gov

912-279-3738

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From: abos-o...@googlegroups.com <abos-o...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Kimberly Millan <kmi...@mccls.org>
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2025 11:21 AM
To: Tameka Roby <tr...@ebrpl.com>
Cc: Mike Cleaves <mcle...@rclstn.org>; ABOS-Outreach <abos-o...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [ABOS-Outreach] Bookmobile programming

 

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