Library outreach: Bookmobile and preschool visits draw thousands, trustees hear

Outreach Librarian Sarah Hibbler told trustees on Feb. 23 that the library’s outreach program, centered on the Bookmobile named Dottie, reached thousands of residents last year through festivals, neighborhood stops and summer camps.

Sarah described Dottie’s schedule: routine summer routes plus stops at St. George Dragon Days, the Williston Fourth of July parade, Touch‑A‑Truck, and Trunk or Treat. Those event appearances drew about 428 visitors, and when organizers added neighborhood stops and visits to Williston Recreation summer camps the Bookmobile’s total visitors were estimated at more than 2,000.

In the fall the Bookmobile program shifted focus to preschool and daycare outreach; staff member Bella joined those visits. Sarah said the preschool contacts help build literacy connections so children and families recognize librarians when they later visit the library.

Senior outreach also expanded this year with a new stop at Falcon Manor; large‑print titles that are weeded from the main collection are routed into libraries used by senior communities so books remain local. Trustees thanked Sarah for the outreach work.

The trustees did not take any formal action; the outreach update was presented as part of regular staff reporting.