A unique opportunity for elementary students in Traverse City.
A “library on wheels” is making the rounds to keep kids reading while on summer break.
The so-called “Bookmobile” heads straight to their homes to deliver new books.
We rode along in the bookmobile sharing the excitement with kids from Traverse Heights Elementary School.
A unique service that not many have seen before.
“We’re really dedicated to our kids,” says Path Cuthbert, special education aid.
Dedication to spend every Wednesday loading up a van turning a key and hitting the road.
All for a day of volunteering and delivering books.
“What we do in the summertime is literally take donated books around to all of the kids who need books or want books from Traverse Heights Elementary School,” says Cuthbert.
Showing kids that if they can’t get to the books the books will come to them.
Having books delivered to the students encourages them to read in the summer.
“A lot of times in the summer some kids don’t have books at home or will spend most of their time just playing video games and what we want to do is encourage them to continue to read as they do in school,” says Cuthbert.
And each time the bookmobile pulls in their driveway Madison Hoffmann, a fifth-grader at Traverse Heights Elementary, gets a smile on her face.
“I just run out there,” says Hoffmann. “It’s fun just to come out here and look for books and then read them after.”
A service on wheels to keep the wheels turning for these young students.
“I was thinking I could check out some cool books and keep them,” says Eve Joslin, a second grader at Traverse Heights Elementary School. “I like to pick out books and I read some of my books from last time.”
Connecting the school with their students and the students to books.
“It also gives us an opportunity to connect with our kids and say hi to them and be a part of their lives in the summer and know that we care,” Sue Chapman, social worker at Traverse Heights Elementary School.
The mobile library is made possible through donations from Serra Subaru and the Elks Lodge 323.
If you’re interested in donating to the bookmobile or having it come for a visit call Traverse Heights Elementary School at 231-933-6500.
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